What is it about teaching on a Wednesday? I can't remember if they were as difficult when I was bartending or waiting tables...is it all M-F 9-5's or is it every job? Is it just being alive? Wednesdays are like... Continue Reading →
Ah, Spring Break. An absolutely necessary week off for teachers so we don't dropkick students off our buildings. YES YOU NEED A PENCIL. It's funny how different Spring Break is now that I'm a 30 year old teacher. When I... Continue Reading →
"But why are apples so boring and cupcake so delicious? This is first thing I asking Jesus when I go to Heaven." -- what I would classify as a legitimate question from one of my students last week, when I tried... Continue Reading →
Normally in the States, I'm so jacked up on conversation hearts that I can be pretty numb to the pain of being single on Valentines Day. And every day. All day. Because it is. It's okay to love being single to celebrate the heck out of it, and to also acknowledge that it can be really, really hard.
I just looked down my shirt and realized I had forgotten about the papertowel I had stuffed in my sports bra to soak up the sweat a few hours ago. It's hot in Brazil. Sometimes when I get undressed at night, these paper towels just fall out, and I realize I'm turning into my grandmothers far sooner than I expected, tucking kleenex and toilet paper away in clothing/skin pockets.
People often ask me what has changed since I've moved to Brazil. There are things that I notice, things maybe others notice more than me. I'm not sure. But here are some basics: My most intense conversations are with bugs. For example:... Continue Reading →
My first visitor! I think a place truly starts to feel like "home" when you have someone visit and you get to play tour guide. I'm fulfilling a lifelong dream of mine to be one of those "Jungle Cruise" guides... Continue Reading →
maybe the best part about any job are the unspoken parts. the bits that aren't explicitly written into your contract. the subtext you create. for me - I am thankful for the many times each day I am reminded what... Continue Reading →
I'm sharing in Chapel next week. Our theme is "Missionaries" and mission trips have completely shaped my life for the last seventeen years. In case some of you don't know the story, I thought I'd practice my chapel share a bit here.... Continue Reading →
Think of Brasil and what comes to mind? Quick word association: beaches, waxing, caipirinhas, bottoms, futbol, bikinis, Carnaval, Big Jesus. <-- those were the super scientific results gleaned from my roommates. I don't think it's a coincidence that many of... Continue Reading →
I'm in my thirties now. My half birthday (I celebrate things like that. I know you're not surprised.) was on Monday. I was 30, but now I'm also that and in my thirties. This week also marked another important anniversary... Continue Reading →
Here is what I have accomplished: Went to the last Giants regular season home game, stood idly by as my cousin almost caught a Buster Posey ball, had my first chicken nuggets in two months, which is a record abstention,... Continue Reading →