Shel Silverstein and Stickers

I’ve decided to start memorizing some poetry. Now for those English buffs out there, don’t think me much… I’m starting with Shel Silverstein. What do you expect, I teach 4 and 5 year olds!? :) It’s fun though… I discovered my Shel Silverstein book tonight while looking for some other kids’ books, and so the fun began! I actually read somewhere recently that it’s great for kids to see and hear their teacher reciting poetry from memory… makes it sound fun and exciting. And since my goal is to be the best preschool teacher I can be, I must try it! On another exciting note, I got a sticker today!! Now, when my students clean up their centers by the time a bell goes off, they get stickers too. And boy do they want those stickers. Kids like stickers. Stickers are fun. But today Ms. Jenny and I got stickers too! One of the district managers for Childcare Network came by today for a quick surprise visit and after a few minutes in our class, she decided that she saw many things that she liked. She said it looked like “lots of great things are happening here.” And she gave us gold stickers to put on our certificates of excellence. Yippee!! I’ve been really stressed at times the past few months, thinking that I’m not a good teacher anymore… It had been a while since I was a “real” teacher in my own classroom. But today I got a little confirmation that maybe I’m not such a bad teacher after all. :) I like stickers. Stickers are fun. ;)

the search begins...

Well, I've started looking for a ticket to South Africa for this summer, and let me tell you... it's NOT cheap! Right now the internet is pricing tickets at a little over $2000. That's more money than the preschool teaching Miss Bonnie has right now! Thankfully, I've been saving since I started my job, and I've got about half of the amount saved already. I'm hoping that I can organize something with my friend Casey so that I'll be doing some missions stuff while I'm there as well as hanging out with friends. I'm hoping that will be the case for two reasons... 1) I so want to go back to Soweto and do similar things to what I did before! I couldn't stand going to SA and not being around the kids! and 2) if it is, indeed, a mission trip, then I can raise support. God has already graciously shown me that I have some pretty committed supporters here in the US of A. I've no doubt that I can get some help in financing this really expensive ticket. God is good. :) I'll feel much better once I've talked with Casey and get get some final details worked out. Then I can work on actually purchasing the ticket!! Can't wait.

Oh, this is random, but kinda interesting... The teacher's assistant in my classroom (Jenny) has a sister, Susan, who is the assistant director to the daycare where my niece goes to. (small world, hey?) Anywho... Susan "met" a guy from Morocco on the internet, and recently flew there to meet him. Well, I went into work today and the first thing Jenny says to me is, "she married that guy." Oh my word. This girl is crazy... She's "married" to a guy in Morocco, but he can't even come here for a long time. What a crazy mixed up story! I have to say though... I'm a bit jealous. I was in Africa for 2 years, and no one married me! What's wrong with me!? hehe I look forward to hearing how this story pans out.

Well, I must get going. I believe that I officially have a second (unpaid) job of being a taxi driver for my nieces and nephew. haha I pick up baby Lauryn from daycare 3 days a week and watch her till Brad and Cheryl get here, and tonight I'm ferrying my nephews back and forth to children's choir and RA's (a boys church program). I love it though. :) These little people in my life are one of the HUGE reasons I'm glad to be here right now. I'm honoured to be such a part of their lives. Now if only Eliza would like me... hehe... I'm still working on her. That cute little 2 year old will love me one day! :)

Thanks for checking in on me! Leave me a comment and let me know who's still reading! :)
Cheers,
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

no coffee

Lately I've realized that I drink too much coffee. I don't really even need it in the mornings, it has just become such a habit, that I always have my coffee in the morning... one before I leave, and the second at school. Since I don't need this coffee, I'm going to start going without. Yikes! Let's hope I'm right... and that I'm not going to be regretting this decision at about 10am when the kids are wide open!

Off to work now...
Bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

re-entry

At debriefing a couple of weeks ago, one of the questions that it was said that most missionaries ask (at least to themselves) quite a lot, is, "will I ever fit in anywhere again?" I agree totally. I really just don't fit completely anywhere. About the only place I really feel like myself lately is at home... and that's not very sociable. I still want to be in Jo'burg, but I just committed myself to being in America for 5 years to pay off my car. Plus, things are probably changing in Jo'burg right now just as much as things changed here while I was away. So... will I ever really fit in anywhere again? The jury's still out on that verdict. Please check back in later.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

American TV

Bah hum bug! I watched part of the opening ceremonies for the Olympics tonight... I was waiting eagerly for South Africa to be announced, and was surprised to see that it was right after the USA. I guess they were going with how the country's name is spelled in Italian. Of course, the TV shows the USA team for like 10 minutes, and I fear I have missed the South Africans. Well, lucky me, they did go back and briefly show the South Africans. *sigh* Made me wanna go back... I remember watching the opening ceremonies for the Summer Olympics in 2004 in Jo'burg... I don't remember missing all the shots of the American athletes. I mean, I understand that we're in America, and we want to see our people. But come on people, don't we care even the slightest about other countries?! Geesh... gotta love America. (or else!)

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

My new car!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen... I am getting a new car! Well, it's not "new" but it is to me. It's a 2005 Toyota Camry, and it just so happens to be Carolina Blue (or close enough:)). I'm so excited! I have to wait till next week for my loan papers to go through, but I already put a downpayment on the car, so no one can take it! By the end of next week, I'll be driving MY car! It's the first car I've ever bought myself... taking a big step into adulthood here!


Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81