The Hunt
Yesterday my roomie and I went off hunting. We knew what we needed and didn't think it would be hard to find... unfortunately it was a little more difficult than anticipated. I have been struggling with what to wear to graduation because what I planned to wear looked funny under my regalia when I went to have my formal picture taken and I have realized that I haven't bought any
summer dress clothes in a long time because I have worked at camp and gone to church there most of my summers since I have been in college. So yesterday we went shopping. I found a beautiful skirt at Kohls. It is white with black flowers. Well I figured I could easily find a white shirt to go with it. Well we had no luck and Jewel needed to get back to study. So last night Jess and I went shopping again. Jess found a whole rack of white shirts at the second store we went to (after I tried on many, many shirts) and it looked really cute. So now I have a beautiful graduation outfit!
The series of "lasts" has begun. I went to my last church service here this morning. I had my last lunch in Alpha Dining Hall.
We have generally finalized our plans for the week. Through Wednesday we all have finals. Thursday is packing day. Friday morning we are going to finish packing and begin preparing dinner for our families. Friday afternoon we have graduation rehearsal. After rehearsal we are going to make dinner for our families, then go to the presidential reception dessert. After the dessert Jewel and I will come back, finish packing and cleaning, and then check out of our apartment between 9 and 10. Then Jess, Jewel, and I are going to drive up to South Bend to pick up Jewel's boyfriend from the airport. Hopefully we will be back and in bed at a somewhat decent hour. Saturday we have to be at graduation at 8.
THEN AT 9:00 A.M. MY COLLEGE GRADUATION CEREMONY BEGINS!
This is the plan for the end of my college career. However, Jewel and I were just talking yesterday about the accident involving a semi and students from Taylor this past week. At least one of those students was a senior. She was looking forward to graduation just as we are. She probably was planning her last few days of college life. In an instant she entered eternity. It makes us think about James warning to not boast about tomorrow.
Come Now you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit", whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
James 4: 13 - 16
So these plans are our plans for the end of college, but they will only be fulfilled if the Lord wills it. Please remember to pray for the families and friends of those killed and injured in the Taylor accident!
Words of Comfort
Tonight was the last night for my Classroom Assessment class. The prof ended by talking about plans. She told us something that "some of us might think isn't very comforting, but some of us will understand why it is a comfort." The words were words that are a comfort and it was a great reminder. She told us that it is ok if we don't have our life figured out because we aren't really in control of it anyway. However, we serve a God who is in control and has a plan for our life. It is so comforting to know that I am not in control of my life, because if I was, I would be sick with worry. Since I serve a God who is in charge of all things I can "present my requests to God" and His peace will guard my heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-7). I am so thankful for that peace God provides!
I thought I would share a quote from my guy friend so all of you could get to know him a little more. Charity seems to have something against him just because he is dead. Maybe this will help to convince her of his worth.
"Yea, the very pleasures of human life men acquire by difficulties, not those only which fall upon us unlooked for, and against our wills, but even by self-chosen, and pleasure seeking trouble."
Who ate the pie?
Last night Jewel and I embarked on an adventure of a lifetime. It was an adventure that we knew would test our courage, but in order to graduate we had to accomplish this task. With trembling hands and fast-beating hearts, we walked into the building and announced our presence. The man behind the counter immeadiately recognized us and knew the task we were about to attempt. He questioned our preparedness and warned us that the sun might set before we accomplished the task. This did not deter us. We decided to attempt it, because there might not be another opportunity. Because we did not know our way we had taken the liberty to find a guide. Our guide was none other than the distinguished Mr. Binkerd. He encouraged us to relax, because we were going to have fun. Neither Jewel or I were convinced, but there was no way around it, we had to complete the task. With sweaty palms we approached the first obstacle. There was some debate over who should go first, but the rules clearly stated the oldest must go first, so Jewel stepped up and placed her ball on the tee. She removed her club, took a couple practice swings, and then sent the ball flying down the fairway. Two and a half hours later as the last few beams of light were fading, we trudged back to our car having played nine holes of golf.
Jewel and I thought it would be fun to take bowling and golf for our P.E. elective. Well it hasn't been quite as fun as we thought. We just found out we had to golf 2 7 holes by the third (the day seniors final grades are due). The only thing we have done in the class is hit some balls on the driving range with various clubs, but we didn't really know when to use various clubs, or anything. Jewel's dad came along for the first four holes and taught us what we needed to do for the rest of the holes. I think if he hadn't come along we would have failed miserably. Since he was there we did ok and actually finished all nine holes. I must say that golf actually is kinda fun, a little frustrating, but fun.
Well when we got back from golfing we devoured a wonderful strawberry pie and worked on our take home test all about golf. What a wonderful way to spend the last "regular" Friday night of our college careers (next Friday is the first day of finals, so it isn't a "regular" Friday).
186 teachers are being fired by IPS because of budget cuts. They are hoping to hire them back, but this is going to make the education job market much more competetive in the Indianapolis area. I am glad God has a plan for my good, because it gives me peace.
Two weeks from today and I will be a college graduate!
life
Well I had the interview yesterday. I don't really know how it went. I really didn't feel comfortable with the principal. One of the teachers who was in on the interview and I were talking before anyone else arrived. She found out I went to Grace (she graduated from Taylor) and she told me not to discuss certain things when the others came in the room because they wouldn't like it. I appreciated her sharing that with me... but it made me a little uncomfortable to talk with them. They told me they would let me know next week and part of me is hoping they won't offer me the job because I don't know that I want it. I think the class would be amazing and I would learn a lot, but I don't know if I can handle the school. There really wasn't anything real specific, I just wasn't real comfortable with the situation. I am glad God knows what His plan is and is preparing me for the place He is going to take me.
I am officially ready for school to be over. I want to be able to focus on getting a job, but I have so much homework to get done I can't. Maybe I should just go to China and teach... I can get a job there at the drop of a hat since I practically had one thrown at me last fall. Of course I also get emails about opportunities in Japan, Vietnam, and South Korea several times a week... so really if I am willing to travel...
I only have five pieces of homework left for the semester!
I have no idea what I am going to do this summer... any suggestions? (I have already said no to N.C. and St. Louis.... so don't even try those my Grace friends:)
Dale Fincher from Soulation found my blog because I had mentioned him on it after he and his wife came to Grace. If you search for Dale and Jonalyn I am the third website that comes up... it makes me laugh.
Children playing on the school playground right outside my window is music to my ears.
Interviews
The teacher recruitment day on Tuesday went wondefully well. I had two interviews and I enjoyed them both. I got some good feedback. Neither school district has advertised openings yet, but each is recruiting because they are expecting several. Both ended the interview by giving me information and encouraging me to make sure I filled out an application with them.
Today I was called by a principal from Franklin Community Schools in Franklin, IN. I had applied for a fourth grade temporary teaching position for the month of May. I honestly didn't even expect to get an interview, but he asked me to come in on Wednesday! I am bouncing off the walls. If nothing else this interview will be good practice for more interviews. I am praying they hire me, but will not be surprised if they don't.
:)
I am feeling very introspective today. Perhaps it is due to trying to answer all these sample questions for the teacher recruitment day I am going to tomorrow. Some of the questions are a little ridiculous
Examples - and possible answers...
Do you have a sense of humor? ... um.... no life is serious, I don't believe in laughing ...
... um... yes everything that happens is so funny I spend my life laughing...
... um... yes in fact when I sat down to talk to you I almost laughed out loud because of....
... um... I believe it is a sin to laugh. We weren't put here to have fun...
... um... no I was baptized with lemon juice so my lips are forever frozen in the sour face...
What has been your biggest challenge in life? ... well... when I turned six I really wanted to be in the same math book as my big brother so I spent the next couple weeks working through my first math book and caught up with him.
... um... beating Anna R at a game of boggle
... hiding from the guys in the white lab coats
... trying to end world hunger
Are you a good student? ... no I hate school and everything that goes with it... which is exactly why I chose to be a teacher
... I am the model student, if everyone was like me this world would be a better place
What author has influenced you recently? ... St. Augustine
... J.K. Rowling
... Dorothy Sayers
... Dr. Seuss
... F. Scott Fitzgerald
What question would you want to be asked? ... wait I thought you were the one doing the interview????
... Which came first the Chicken or the egg?
... How did the chicken cross the road?
... What would you do if a student was sitting in the coat closet making monkey noises while you were trying to teach a math lesson?
... Compare the job of a teacher and the job of a zoo keeper.
What school system would you most want to work in? ... um the one that is going to let me teach children...
... Well since I am talking to you right now yours... but in a few minutes during my next interview it is going to be the school over there.
Seriously what in the world do these people want to hear?
Then there are the questions that are good questions but I don't know how to answer. The most important one of course is the - Why should we hire you? - question. I don't know maybe you shouldn't. I think I would make a good teacher which is why I am pursuing this career... but maybe you don't.
I am really bad at this selling myself thing which is what I am supposed to do in interviews. Today is interview preparation day for me because tomorrow is the wonderful teacher recruitment day. I wish someone would just offer me a job. I don't think I am going to be good at this networking/interviewing thing.
My sisters and Ellen Edwards came and visited this weekend. We had a fun time complete with watching a wonderful play (Somethings Afoot - a comedic murder mystry), taking a wonderful walk around the lake, playing the question game in the car, going to my wonderful church, and having fun with everyone up here. I enjoyed it!
Well I must get back to analyzing my life skills... "what are three words to describe yourself?" um... yeah... anyway have a blessed day!
Memories
In four weeks I will be finished with all my college classes. In four weeks and two days I will walk across a stage and receive a piece of paper saying I am a college graduate. It is odd that in just 30 days I will be a college graduate. I was talking to some of the girls from my freshman year hall a few days ago and it doesn't seem possible. It can't have been four years ago that we were sitting in a circle on I1E playing a get to know you game. At the same time there is no way I have only known some of these people for four years. It feels as though I have known them my whole life. But as I have been thinking about college I have created in my mind my top ten memories of college life.
~ Fire Drills - Everyone complains about them, but they sure provided my friends and I with lots of fun. Freshman year we figured out when one was and dressed up for it. From then on we would email each other and joke about appropriate clothing for fire drills, when they would be coming, and the best way to exit a building during a fire drill.
~ Milk - From the milk machine exploding in my hands to Holly and her "melk" (that is the way she says it) milk provided all of us with many a laugh. And of course Mama Tew always knowing when she saw me walk into the Grille that I wanted a cup of skim milk.
~ Walks around the lake - One of my favorite parts about Winona Lake is walking down by the lake. It is beautiful and peaceful. Going on walks down there provides the perfect setting for good conversations with anyone. Although Deana and I went on these walks together the most I have loved spending times with friends on warm afternoon walks by the lake.
~ Caring People - There are so many people in the Grace community who have blessed my life. From my freshman year hall mom, to Mama Tew, to professors and members of student development, God has given me great opportunities to get to know some wonderful people and has allowed them to impact my life.
~ Creatures - from the cat that "mysteriously" ended up in our room freshman year (our RA put it in there as a joke) to the birds and bats that got in the ceilings and walls in our rooms in Westminster, to close calls with Deer on the roads we have had fun with animals big and small.
~ Sumo Wrestling with Deana - This was a little bit of a contest between Deana and I on one team and Brianne and Jodi on the other. We would take turns showing up at the other sides door randomly dressed in some outfit. Sometimes we would have music. Other times it would just be us doing a trick.
~ Weddings - You can't attend a Christian college (probably any college but especially Christian ones I think) without going to many weddings. From weddings we didn't even go to the reception for (the parents didn't really want the couple getting married and the wedding was very uncomfortable so we left after we congratulated the bride and groom) to weddings we stayed till the very end we had fun laughing, joking, and dancing together.
~ Cartoon voices - I always gave Holly a hard time by talking in a really high pitched voice. She just couldn't handle it and called it my "Barbie voice". Well finally this year I have a roomate that understands :) and even joins me in my high voice talking. We do it so much that a couple times we have done it while we are out with friends. Our friends give us a look and we can't figure out why...
~ Girl fun - Living in a dorm for 3 years provided many opportunities for girl fun. In some ways it was like a sleep over that never ended (although there were days that you wish it would end and everyone would go home so you could have some peace). Laughing with a group of friends after a long day is always wonderful.
~ Growing - I will always remember Grace College as a place that I grew. I came to know my savior in a deeper way than ever before. Each year I can point to places where my walk with Christ was strengthened. I can also point to people here at my college who God used to work in my heart to bring me closer to Him. I don't think I will ever remember my time at Grace College without thinking of God's grace in my life as He continues to mold me into the women He wants me to be.
Know I feel like I am an old person. "It seems like just yesterday that..." I am glad that it wasn't yesterday that I started college because I am ready to be finished! There was a guest speaker in one of my classes yesterday (an older pastor from the community) who talked about how he was in grad school again because he wanted other people to choose the books he has to read. Well I am ready to be out of school because I want to choose some of my own books again. I have more than 10 sitting on my bookshelf that I am dying to get to.
So in four weeks I may be down with school but I know that learning lasts a life time! Don't I sound like a teacher?
Have a blessed day! and I am impressed if you made it all the way through my ramblings :)
Blessings
This past week I went into career services and rewrote my resume. After going into career services I was wishing I hadn't sent any applications out yet because my new resume is 10 times better than my old one. It was really amazing because the new resume has the same information about my experiences, it just explains them much better. After leaving career services I was a little bummed because I had already sent several applications. I was wishing that I had waited and sent my new resume. Well today mom called me and said that an application had been returned because the address did not exist. After looking up addresses we found the correct address. This means that I was able to include my new resume in this application. It is also the school that I am currently leaning towards. It is the only Christian school to which I have applied, and part of me really wants to work there. Now they will see the best side of me, instead of the ok side.
Last night my roomate and I had a lot of fun talking (after we had turned the lights out:) Then we had a wonderful morning (afternoon? day?) of running errands together. I love hanging out with her, being goofy, and yet still being able to have good serious talks. I know I am going to miss living with her after graduation.
I had a good talk with mom this afternoon about finding a job. It is always nice to know how much someone is praying for me to find the perfect job.
I am ready to leave Grace College and I am happy. Coming into the year I was afraid I wouldn't be ready to leave at the end. So I am thankful that I am truly ready to move on.
I found shoes to wear to interviews... they were $7 at wally world. They are black square toed shoes with a small heel. I think I can walk around on them for a whole day. I was excited because I needed a pair of shoes like this but all of the shoes I was finding that would work cost a lot more.
I have my graduation Regalia (cap and gown, I have found out many have never heard that word). My hood has light blue trim (Teacher Education colors) and then is red and white on the inside (our school colors).
I have an interview with my first choice of a school on Grace's teacher recruitment day.
It is spring! Last night we slept with the windows open because it was so warm in our apartments. This morning I woke up to birds singing and a cool breeze... it made me feel as though I was camping.
I am still loving my new guy friend (wink wink Charity :)) I have just gotten to the point in The Confessions in which St. Augustine is coming to know Christ. It is a wonderful book!
Well... I could keep going... but since we are losing an hour tonight due to daylight savings time, I must be heading to bed soon.
Always remember Philippians 4:6-7!
