Week in Review

This week was pretty busy for the both of us. I feel like we got a lot done! Here is a quick recap:

Monday: Well... ok maybe not so much Monday...

Tuesday: I... *gasp*... subbed for a 7th grade math class. It was... exhausting. I really have to hand it to those who can and want to teach middle school. I felt like I never got a break! You can't let your guard down for a second, and they were AWFUL to each other. The school I was subbing at was lower income but I was still absolutely shocked by their language and attitude and view of the world around them. One girl said to another girl, "if you don't shut up, I'm gonna cut you!" Another boy threatened to stab a girl in the neck with his pencil. When I asked the students to stand up and tell me their names and something about themselves, something that sets them apart, three girls told me that the only thing interesting about them was that they are Black! I tried to prompt an additional response but they had nothing else to say. I just wish that these kids could see past their race even just a little. I don't believe that that is how we should define ourselves. There was so much anger and hurt in these kids. It was really quite sad. I won't even get into all of the horrible sexual references they made to each other. Throughout the day at least three kids were sent to the front office, two girls had to be separated, and 7 students were written up for misbehaving, and the thing is... this was a GOOD day - or so I was told by one of my students and a science teacher down the hall. He actually requested that I sub for him this following week! - I'm going to be out of town. When I came home at the end of the day I wanted to go straight to bed. I don't think you could pay me enough to teach middle school again. Cliff was busy too. This whole week he has had flight after flight with classes, tests, and simulators mixed in too.

Wednesday - Cliff's 26th birthday! A much better day with the exception that Cliff had to to go to work around 4:00pm and didn't get home until 2:00am the next morning. Because Cliff had to fly that night, we decided to celebrate by going out to lunch. We went to a funky little blues bar and bbq pit called "Mojo Kitchen." The music was great and the food was even better! I can't believe we didn't discover this place sooner. I know the food in Japan will be great but there is definitely something to be said for southern cookin' and barbecue done right! Cliff got the 2nd and 3rd season of "Arrested Development" from my parents, a book from his parents with talks and essays by President Monson, and I got his commissioning certificate framed for him. After lunch we went home and changed and then drove over to the base to use the gym before Cliff went to work. I had my art class at 6:30 and I got a lot done on my painting this week. I will have to put some picture up soon.

Thursday - We both slept in until about ...7:30, (not sleeping in for me so much,) and then Cliff went to work around 9:00 and I left to go to the zoo with a friend from church and her daughter. I know you are all probably sick of hearing about the zoo and must think that I go almost everyday, but the truth is that I never get tired of it. It was so much fun to go with a tw0-year old too, because the zoo is viewed completely differently through the eyes of a child. I guess it's just that every time I go I am reminded of just how incredible this world is that Christ under our Heavenly Father's direction created for us. It truly blows my mind. And it was wonderful to see Teya's (the little girl's) fascination with everything from the poison dart frogs to the sleeping "teddy bears" to the lady bug on a leaf. I can't wait to take my own children to a zoo one day.

Later that evening I went visiting teaching with my new partner and really enjoyed myself. I'm grateful that we finally had the opportunity to go even though we were unsuccessful in meeting up with one of the girls, I really got to know my vt companion and she is super nice. I also killed a big spider in my car that was right by the passenger window. You might laugh, but this was a great feat for me.

Friday - I subbed again! This time 5th grade and it was GREAT. It was probably the easiest working day I have ever had in my life. It was a co-teaching situation and the other teacher was there, so I basically just monitored the class and made sure everyone stayed in their seats and on task. Such a relief after the nightmare that was Tuesday.

When Cliff got home that evening he had some great news! The HSL-51 guys, (that's the squadron he will be in in Japan,) were in town and wanted to meet up to talk about the move/transition from American life to Japanese living. We met them at a sports bar and got to talk to them for more than two hours! We got to meet the Skipper (the commander of the squadron and Cliff's future boss,) and we also got a sponsor!! A sponsor is a person that helps you move and adjust to living in Japan. They are there to help you every step of the way. They will answer any questions we have and will even pick us up from the airport when we arrive! Most people don't actually meet their sponsor until they land in Japan. They usually get to know each other through e-mail so this was really cool. Cliff was so excited last night, he was jumping around the house like a kid. I love my goofy husband. We are going to have the time of our lives over there :)