Academic Fair

Today we had an Academic Fair for the 6 elementary schools that feed into the same high school. Our 1st - 5th graders competed in different areas: 1st - 3rd competed in math, spelling and poetry and 4th and 5th competed in math, spelling, poetry, number sense, science and geography. We only had a few weeks to prepare our students, but we had a few winners place between 1st and 6th place in every grade level except 3rd. But watching those kids who competed anxiously wait for their names to be called and then not hearing it was heartbreaking. There were so many that were extremely disappointed at not placing. Hopefully, we will be more prepared next year and will have more winners and fewer disappointments

Just rambling...

I had a flashback on Friday night. A flashback to my middle and high school days. I went to the movies at Grapevine Mills Mall and when I walked out after the movie, there were kids standing around "hanging out". They were everywhere. I remember when I was a kid and did that. I've come a long way since then...

I graduated from high school 11 years ago and headed off to college. I went home for Christmas that first year and then didn't go home to live again...only for weekend visits. I met some amazing people when I was in college and really came to understand what had happened when I had accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 16. After 5 1/2 years and 5 majors, I graduated from college still unsure of what I wanted to do with my life.
5 months after graduation and too many unproductive job interviews, I accepted a job with Dallas ISD to get certified to teach. It wasn't something I'd ever wanted to do, but 6 school years later, it has become a career. Some years are more difficult than others - and each presents its own challenges, but I have found joy in my students. It is so satisfying when their eyes light up when a concept finally hits home.
I have done my fair share of traveling - I've been to 25 states and 14 countries. I've seen so many cool things like Les Miserables on a London stage; the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and the Kremlin; Westminister Abbey; the Mona Lisa at the Louvre; Notre Dame; I've napped in Hyde Park; rolled down a hill at Stirling Castle; watched the sun set and rise over St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square; shopped at the Gum; and dove the Antilla wreck off the coast of Aruba.
I've gotten into debt and am working my way out (debt is definitely something you should avoid). I've rebelled against the "norm" you might say and got pierced and tattooed. I volunteer my spare time at a Children's Hospital.
Ultimately, my life is and has been great and I have very few regrets - and even those few regrets, I wouldn't change because I've learned so much from them. Besides the debt, which I'm working very hard on, the only thing I want that I don't have is my own family - a husband and children.
I am still waiting, albeit not always patiently, for God to bring that person into my life. I never thought I would be 29, going on 30, and still single. I realize it isn't the end of the world that I'm still single, and I don't always let it get to me, but sometimes it's just really frustrating.
I try to keep in mind some of God's promises to me...

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6