School, go, go, go, spazy tennis practice, coaches meeting, more spazyness, and I'm home!

WHAT?!?!??!!

It's getting out of hand --but at least tomorrow it has a point: meaning that we actually have a tennis match! (and I get to blow off 2 classes of teaching!)

It was getting old practicing for 12 straight in a row:) But so completely, and utterly amazing how FAST these kids have picked up this game of tennis. Easy sport to learn--and yet I have surprised myself at the tennis knowledge I actually gained from college and playing in general.

Good to catch up on blogs tonight, I know that sounds dorky, but literally reading blogs is something I looked forward to!

Oh Kim, I meant to write last blog about your comment on church/religiousity, etc. It is really sweet to be with and have fellowship with those who love the Lord!

So cool, that the Lord had a plan of more than one person on earth, we get to have millions of people! To fellowship with! And I consider blogs fellowship too! YAH!

Meeting with the Fellowship of Christian Athlete teenagers yesterday was radically refreshing! God uses littles, olds, and any age to speak to us! Nice!

I'm gonna check out Sacred Marriage with Case as well *thanks for the mention Kim.

Well, can't wait to hear about Price is Right from Trace and Michelle---thanks for updating me Matt!

Time to go check out 28 Days on the movie channel tonight!

Saw Without a Paddle and it was actually a good remedy to tennis and literature stress. Brainless, yes. And an unexpected genuine message and cleaness to it.

Lookey over to my listy...Erica Konya has stepped into the online sharing world of blog. Very cute pics of her little girl too! Oh, and Airca, thanks for the snail mail! RAD!

Yeah, I just said RAD, so.

It's hot here, 97 degrees.

We ate at Baja Fresh with Casey's cousin who is a junior at Fresno State. She's cool, and we're planning snowboarding/camping/and other dinner ideas. Nice to have someone once in a while to hang with.

Pseudobook fundraising begins next week in school. I was not asked to do it, but why not get $60 in exchange for $14 dollars...humt. Yeah, nice!

Lazyness here. Oh, a certain someone special from 9-5-52 shall be on the snail mail lookout!

Yeah, payday happened yesterday, and now it's broke time since I've had my money for less than 24 hours and all, hee, heh. jk sort of.

Gotta slink outta this computer room to some more packing. PACKING for ALASKA in AUGUST! My first book title. Not really. Can you see my indecisive rambly tiredness. I coach tennis 24/7!

Captain Caaaaaaa..eh...aaaave Maaaaaaaaaan!

That thought puts me in a good mood.

Also, does anyone remember Shirt Tales the cartoon? I think Justin might?...b/c it had a racoon in it---all the animal characters wore tshirts?

I shall now go online and look it up. Just like once I went online to look for Ed Grimly cartoon DVD's. Those don't exist...sadness for me.

So Justin, happy and quick healing! Good to chat a bit this late night hour.

Now, you people, this week was horrendously fast. This last weekend coming up here, we have a good time out with the Casey planned: Baja Fresh, movie, hang out at Barnes and Noble, etc.

And then it's lesson plans AGAIN! SICKENING! It's like a first year teacher again, for the 3rd time. My moto from here on out is "blow it off, just have fun, and we're outta here!"

This week was full of stress and annoyance due to overload on those "literature" lesson plans.

This tennis thing OH-UGH! Too much planning involved. My measley pocket change from coaching this season is going to be spent asap once received in Nov.---and according to the financial budget, I'm actually allowed! Awesome!

Pay Day tomorrow! Plus, cool new teachers to blab with a minute at our "Snack-n-Chat" get together at school Fridays.

One art teacher, just hired last week, grew up in Tennessee I think, well at least played softball at Tennesee University. Her and her fiance moved out here with him playing semi-pro football, he's from Cincinatti.

It was hilarious when she found out we were from Ohio, and she instantly wanted to be best friends! Acting like she's heard of Defiance College--yet perhaps she though with BG I was talking about Kentucky.....HA!

Wish my friend Mavis would blog or write, but I could say the same to myself with mailing my good friend as well. Just thinking of her and her family this evening.

Today was Tuesday I think, but I thought it was Monday all day. Weird.

I have many comments I'd like to summarize about my classes this week. Amazing, awesome things they are sharing in their "Me Booklet" presentations (little books all about them---so we can all get to know and meet them).

So, dad your reflections on England (last blog) was an interesting viewppoint. Do you know what was one of the best parts of the entire trip?

When we came back from Scotland, and there's dad greeting us open armed at the Oxford train station.

But that wasn't even the best part, it was when we sat down at Oneil's Pub and your heart and head poured out with what your week--back in Oxford--entailed.

That 70 year old lady who encouraged you to retire as early as possible, that young Modest Mouse talking student,

I remember thinking, "Oh my! My dear hard working dad is sitting right in front of me, in England, speaking so openly and frankly and honestly about his experience...I want to hear more..."

It seems too, too often dad (and you too mom) you are wonderfully listening and supporting your children, hearing us out, peacefully enjoying our oddities:

IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO SPEAK like you did at Oneil's. I am imagine mom is the only one able to get the most words out of you, but I will be staring at you for several uncomforable rounds of minutes at this Thanksgiving cabin---

To hear your ideas and thoughts. You too mom.

Anyways, this is a good point by mom. I like it:

"Even if we don't agree with what they (our brothers and sisters) are saying, the interaction pushes and pulls us to the Lord when we have to examine our lives and beliefs."

U.K. Relived

England is an old, tired country. It has creations of buildings and castles and whatnots jam packed into considerably small(er than American) cities, and I say creations, because they looked created. Someone actually slaved countless days, months, years to put these habitats together.

And these habitats speckle across the countryside as well, thrusting one intensely into the mysterious realms of Medieval thoughts and visions.

It was surreal. Every ounce of American and British history that I've ever known, read, and scene in movies flickered in and out of my mind, and through every obsessive picture I took.

For about 85% of the trip I just observed. I took note of how people sat on a crowded train from Gatwick to Victoria Station, London. I took note of how London was bustled through in extreme busy fashion by locals, U.K.'ers, and foreigners alike.

I took note of Moira the tour guide's accent and discussion of British royalty and London city history atop of that infamous double decker red bus.

The herds of sheep and rolling green hills, the glimmering of a grey, Northern Hemisphere Alaskan-like sea (that was the North Sea flanking Scotland eastern shore)...

The intrigue of an historic Oxford Univerisity town, the awe of C.S. Lewis' home and peaceful life, walking his pond and trails, looking at trees that inspired his spirit, giving a glimpse into his epic, truthful warrior writing for the One.

Observations slinked into my sleep at night about Edinburgh, Scotland with it's ghosts, ghouls, overcast drearyness, and unique artsy, muscial culture. Slimey, partying youth immaturities and smokers take away from this city's beauty and charm.

York was quaint and historic with walled city gates, and the heart touching "Jenny Cook" who lent her B&B to us for 2 nights.

And ever so, enthsiastically I took account of any and everything pop culture. If you see my 650+ pictures you will laugh at such a bountiful collection of human creations/buildings, and street signs.

That was fun. And it, the whole experience, was intriguing. I thoroughly enjoyed the touring (most done with Mom (and Dad). Although busy-busy, it was worth it.

And throughout the trip, my mind subconciously and conciously kept score at how things were different. Interactions of business, eating, walking on the left or the right? (who knows, there's so many cultures there just walk wherever), newspapers, ads, music magazine lingo,

Magazines in general (so many seen and weirded at in bus, train, airplane stations), bikes riden and not ridden, food and drinks ordered and payed for, stares and blank looks from Scottish shop owners who don't want English pounds.

People we came in contact with were mostly tourists or pub and shop owners. The time with Londoners was as empty as one would expect in any large city. Everyone with their own purpose, doing their own thing.

Yet, there was a sense of unhealthiness. Somewhat physically, but mostly a sense of spiritually drained, careless, or severely uneffected by emotion. Again, that could be directly related to the "big city" theme of most busy, business, and work driven city people.

All in all, and inevitably, this trip fortified my "God's eye" view of each and every one of us. It sounds so simple, but I saw people as people. As creations of God, and as receivers of His love and mercy all the same as "we" are in America.

Go ole'd "broadening my horizons"? Could it be so cliched...yup. Self-centered U.S. Self-centered fallen world. A world full of humans...not stuff...people...

We all need Him. We all get to choose Him!

Back to normal blogging, and on a side note as I listen to Rooney, it's such feel good, loosey goosey music, and funny "guy honesty".

And then the POD shuffles to this...

"You're hammered down, echoing voices, sing in your ear, amidst my pride, angels surround you."

If I let it, that song written by my brother Justin would make me weep for hours on end. Just weep for the grace of God. Just weep in humility on the floor, in the dark, alone, with Him.

I'd like to let it. Someday entirely, or bit by bit. However, the Lord can seep in, I'll allow it!

2/3 of a triathlon done today! That is: 20 laps swimming, and 9 miles biking around the track. Both done at school. Nice!

It took me about an hour and 10 mins...with bike time and dry off time slowly in between.

Tracey, I think our pool is shorter, well I'm swimming the short part...but tomorrow I'm asking for official laps---well maybe Tues/Wed. so I can avoid kids yelling for me to practice water polo with them.

I met the "water polo" coach who is 41 years old, but really like a 25 year old. She's a very cool athlete mom who has done tons of competitions, including the Iron Man Triathlon which is like 4 times longer (which I never knew) than our Mission Bay one this Oct. 3.

I plan on learning from her expertise a bit. And it's hilarious b/c if I have conversations with anyone (ANYONE) for more than 5 minutes, inevitably I always mention they should "write a book about it". HAHahhahahhahaha!

That's how I think at least, point being I told this chick to write a book about her triath, marathons, and all that jazz. She laughed (like they all do) and said "yeah I should". She knows someone who trained with and is friends with Lance Armstrong.

Well the cabin blabla is almost there. I will only email you all one more time with confirmation. Sorry for all the confusion and decisions :) I'm looking forward to it greatly :)

Board games, cabin fireplaces, a little snow, some boarding, relaxing, food, dreaming...YES!

Sounds like the Amazing Race was pretty fun Matt and Trace! Glad mike is home, but not glad that his IPOD is ridiculous.

Did you know we will have worked 3 (THREEEEEE) whole weeks before Labor day?! Whoa, wow!? We get paid this week though and I plan on getting Cure's new one finally (Matt did you see the Curiosa review at the back of Rolling Stone), and Alanis Morrisette's new one on Itunes.

Monday, Monday is here again :)

"The more I cycle, the more I love it, and it's all I want to train with and for." - that water polo chick took the words right out of my mind

The FCA leaders met tonight to pray over the school. It was short and sweet, and neat.

How nice, feel good, God is good, this is true.

There are many thoughts, however, going on in my mind about God, the Iraq and world sitches, the here and now, the Chowchilla, the America, the future, the good children of the Lord, the evil, the scary, the Good, the Mighty, the Powerful, the Almighty, the Triumphant, the One thing, the Truth.

The students had to write about Iraq today. Only a few shared---and the rest conveyed an unbiased, unknowing, and/or uncaring mood. Maybe it was that they had to write in English class, on the 4th day of school, on a 101 degree day.

But I think they are, we Americans are, a lot of people are, really sorely mistaken about the world in all aspects. Mistaken about the Lord's sovereignty in it all.

Christians too, and I say this in regards to a holy war, a new way of living, a new and not necessarily good (in the world's eyes) future, a new way of trusting God.

I dunno, I don't know, this world...

Don't follow my train of thought? It's an over exposed media trail of political mumbo jumbo and tangled web weaving of evil, that's really boiling me down to either yes or no.

Yes Lord.

Or no.

Everyday, every choice. And I'm leaning YES, over and over again. I don't know how, but I'm hopping on.

I desire more of It. His spirit is drawing us to Him daily. Say yes!

It's not rocket science desperation, feeling, deciding, figuring.

It's yes or no. Thus I'm tired of religion this night. Not mad at church, or at FCA, or at organization.

But mad at the reflection of religion in people's eyes, in their words, in their spirits. As opposed to the reflection of Grace. Truth. Trust, and Peace.

"Neither death, nor life, nor present, nor future, nor depth, nor heigth can keep us from the love of Christ that put on flesh to dwell with us in the beginning." Sara Groves lyrics from "The Word"

"I've made a crown for you
Put it in your room...

When you wear your clothes I wear them too
I wear your shoes and the jacket too...

Rest in my arms
Sleep in my bed
There's a design to all I did and said"

OH MY!

Hi all!

The school job is superbly just full of me blabbing rules and whatnots. The kids are surprisingly positive, happy, and quiet. The quiet part I know will change, but the other part is great!

The class that just graduated was a pain in the neck for everyone. All faculty and staff are acting like this year is the most beautiful year they've ever taught...it's funny...it's good.

Tennis is slim to none right now attendancewise, but by Thursday there will be any and all out there equalling 13! NICE! EASY! GREAT! I love it!

Something very cool is that I am now one of the FCA "teacher-leaders". WOOHOO! I just have such a youth ministry zealosity (made that word up?) in my heart, and here's another avenue! YES!

Teaching! Who knew this would be the life? The husband is one too? AWESOME! A good life! Proud to serve your children Lord, thank you!

TOMORROW NOoooooooooooooo!

Feeling good. It'll be a nice year. A nice farewell year. We'll give it all we got and say goodbye :)

Today was solid. Got up hardly at noon--rough sleep with our neighbor's dog barking at 5 am at a cat! Argh! Will try Melotonin tonight for getting back on track with sleep. It's a temporary "all natural" relief of poor sleep blablabla. Yes, mom I will be wise using "all natural" things. True, true.

Talked to the mom and dad today and that was fun. Glad to hear mom has chosen wisely! She can explain that sometime on her blog.

What do people want to do for Thanksgiving!??! :) I am looking up some more options. Casey's dad has officially notified us that timeshares are slim to none--due to late in the game holiday choices. Hope to email my research tonight.

You know...b/c I'm avoiding the anxious excitement of school tomorrow. I have huge, HUGE classes. 33 - 35, but then one with only 22 students in it. Odd, but fine!

TENNIS IS THE REAL MOTIVATOR FOR tomorrow! YES! We'll see how it goes, the little children are upset their other coach had to quit.

I'll end this one with my new "work" playlist: (ewe it's called "work", I know that's gross)

You're Classic Michael Edwards
Untitled Stellastarr*
Heaven The Fire Theft
Track 08 Amelie Sdtk
Track 01 from Ohio Over the Rhine
Stupid Sarah McLachlan
Solace Plumb
Sleeping In The Postal Service
Passenger Seat SHeDAISY
Nina Persson The Bluest Eyes in Texas Various Artists
Killer Bees The Stills
Jerusalem Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
Houses The Fire Theft
Hands Away Interpol
Crutch Pinback
Complainte de la Butte Rufus Wainwright

Things have been good. Casey and I have our rooms and plans set for next week. It's usually easy to get the first week or two going b/c it's all formalities, busyness, and procedure set up.

This chica Mary, that's me-- has gone into planner mode, like normal when lesson plans happen--only not with lesson plans-book writing plans, triath training plans, writing letters, coaching tennis and bball plan, and so much more.

It seems Casey and other family members (well, in reading Justin's) are getting some insight into this life: Don't plan, do...or don't whine DO IT!

During the summer, I realized my choices in life so clearly.

Choose Jesus. Choose to be content. Choose to be gracious. Choose to love.

Choose a positive attitude.

Good stuff. Good timing for it too. With the kiddies back in my daily existence again.

Anyways, I found out an amazing student, who was going to be a junior this year, got killed in a car wreck this summer.

That floored me.

I only knew her by 5 random substitute teaching times.

Yet, she let me borrow her "clean" socks one day when I had to trade spots with a student in her P.E. class. (I had to participate in P.E. class for a day.) She was so excited to lend them to me, and proceeded to go around looking for "clean" red shorts and a white tshirt to complete my P.E. uniform.

She was super joyful and smiley. A swimmer, and would have been on my tennis team this year.

BUT SHE KNEW JESUS in and out! Her Bible was full of sermon notes and she was very open to any and all who wanted to know about Him.

So young. LORD!?! YOU!

You amazing Lord! What are you up to with this eternity thing!?!

It grounds me again, encouraging me to live life to the fullest. Loving the Lord with your deepest best every day.

Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, YES!

"Oh no, I'm feeling lazy ... and I need to seek the world." Fire Theft

Awesome to read your blog mom, and it inspires me to prioritize my recollections. I've been telling everyone at work the things I loved. Mostly including travelling by planes, trains, and not automobiles--well busses. And Edinburgh, York, and Oxford.

My comments on London were its busyness but its super cool history and tour we did! My colleagues were more enthusiastic about the Globe theater than I was/am...humph. ;) (they went there a few yrs. ago)And mom and dad, they are all amazed that I went with you all and the C.S. Lewis conference excitement too.

Oh yeah so, there are some very cool new teachers...except for the one who has the exact same VW beetle as me. ABSURD! But one has lived on an American military base in Germany her whole life, and her parents have taught the military kids her whole life. WHAT?! Cool.

Casey has a new peculiar special ed lady to work with after his one friend surprisingly transfered schools. I feel some hilarious stories coming out of her existence here in Chow.

Some long days have been going on with this work thingamabob called school again. You know the super busy fast, slowness? Has anyone had that? I'm sure now that were all adults it's such a blur like so - long at work ;kafjiewfjewjoawe

BOOKS! SO many books to write, so little time. Since being in structured time managing things all my life, it seems adding tennis has actually made me more motivated to keep on schedule with triath training and a book writing/editing schedule I plopped out on the plane home this summer!

"The hope of the whole world lies on the shoulders of a homeless man" - Rich Mullins

An Iraq calling on the tennis coach's husband has made my fall school situation quite different!

A pregnant teacher buddy of the Chow-world has handed over the reigns of "tennis coach" to anyone who'll take it. She has been really stressed and worried already, and I pray for her to be worry free on child and husband.

So...I'M HEAD TENNIS COACH THIS FALL!

I've never been a varsity coach before. Cooooo....l! There's only 10 players or so, and head to head competition in practice determines the lineup! EASY COACHING!

It will be time consuming and busy, but now I can blow off my 6th period class for matches :)

Anyways, prepare to be bored with tennis team talk and highlights this fall, followed by bball. This may be my last year for coaching ever! Except for our kids, or if the Alaskan school drafts me into it again?..no! :)

We've gone to school two days in a row--by choice, and it hasn't been too bad at all. Ya know with starting our 3rd year here, and my 5th year overall WHAT IN THE WORLD!?

Tomorrow we actually have to be there for inservice blablabla forever morning talk over procedures. I'm excited and I get to teach two sets of students that I've already taught - sophomores and juniors.

Thank you Lord for tennis! Also, for getting to know these two generations of students even better, and a cool new HUGE classroom that I will keep spotless.

Hope you're all well and settling into the fall that's creeper lagooning up on us!

Oh and Trace I'm still in for the triath! Mom and Dad we'll need to hear more stories about England...snail mail even...

"I ran around with my head cut off, and it was freightning to say the least" - Creeper Lagoon lyrics

Soooooooo..................

We went to San Diego and it was a good stuff. Lots of working out by Trace and I, still sore, and laying out, still sore skin too.

Surfing was a low key, but good last run, and the Padres game was super fun! We got a free tshirt too!

School.

School is on the mind.

School clothes and supplies have been purchased. Already saw a few students who proceeded to talk my ear off at Target....:) and :/ to that.

It'll be good to get a routine going again--and settle in to some hobbies I have planned for the fall. For example, Itunes, scrapbooking, packing, and other moving prep.

We're cleaning the house!

"They'll always take me back at the Dairy Queen." --Parker Posey

Today was superb fun!

Here's a quick rundown: (or as the British say, a quick "Welcome to the Jungle" movie title change)
- Up early on England or Ohio or something time?!?!
- Picked up a huge box of mail, it was like Christmas
(Got 6 music mags piled up to read now)
- Hooked the computer totally up with sleek and smooth XP (compared to puke Win98-yeah 98 people.)
And thanks for the help Mike ;)
- Internet, Office/Publisher, and Itunes downloaded. SUCCESS!
- Ate some steak tacos by Chef Casey!

Case took care of all the bills today and rewarded himself with some 2K5 football pretty much all day :)

So, our 41 hour drive home was fast and boring! Leaving 9 a.m. Sunday from Defiance we drove straight through, yet slept 6 hours solid in Wyoming. We got home around midnight Monday. Not bad!

When we walked in the house it was one of the most refreshing things in the world. Such an odd, yet simple Chowchilla home.

I almost couldn't believe it. Our funny central Californian world was sitting here the whole time just waiting for us to get back. Nothing different, nothing bothered anywhere in the WHOLE TOWN! Ha!

There was a country type of homey, newly-built duplex smell that I appreciated. I'm not sure why I was so moved upon the arrival here...of course it was a long, BUSY, good summer...ah...these 2 months still need processed in my head.

Anyways, Bo was so good the whole way! He seemed excited and relieved to be home. After running around the house and yard a bit with a grin, he plopped down in "his" spot and konked out.

Books for Mary to check out/buy/read:
3 No. 1 Detective Agency books by Edinburgh/African author
Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck
Rachel and Leah by Orson Scott Card
Writer's Market by Writer's Market people

Welp, let's pack. The satellite tv dude will be here early I hope...then...

Off to S.D. to get in shape, see some Padres, surf, hang! YEAH!

"jackpot!" - Jennie Cook's B&B fan