Timed Rhythm

Elementary school started for me at Abernathy Elementary in Portland, Oregon.  A school surrounded by rose bush round-a-bouts, a large covered play area, a fairly busy road in the distance and a play ground with an epic tire swing and bark dust where Clark once peed during recess.  Which brings me to the learnings of this age of life... Boys are gross.  Sometimes they try to be sweet by attending the school carnival and using all the tickets they earn to buy you a small hello kitty pencil set.  This IS sweet.  Boys are gross, but super sweet. Boys make the heart flutter.  I've had crushes since AT LEAST first grade.  Usually the flutter of the heart made me run away and hide.    I am an excellent hider.  This is not actually good.  I need to remember to 'unhide' myself too. Problems are not only an adult thing.  On the playground I used to solve all the problems of the world.  My role was to brainstorm solutions for ...

There isn't much that I remember from preschool years and below, but there are a couple that stand out.  Some are solid life-long learnings, others true but not exactly wise... When you want to join the Puddle Splashing preschool class, but you choose the other class because they go on a field trip to pick berries and you love berries, but the class itself is not that fun...you will survive.  The berries will be delicious and you can go puddle splashing any day.  After all you live in Portland, the land of rain.  Choose to enjoy! Always ask 'why?'  Ask yourself, and if you don't know the answer, ask others. Asking is how you learn.  Ask, reflect and grow! Be confident as you encounter challenges.  When you embrace fear instead, you will fall. (But, maybe don't ride your bike down the basement stairs) Ask the neighbor for fruit when your parents say, "no."  He will be impressed that you are asking for a healthy treat, feel bad fo...

I was inspired by a friend today to reflect on my life and what I have learned from the timeline I have already lived out.  I broke down my life into the following 35 sections. Life Chunks: Preschool and below Lower Elementary School Moving Upper elementary School Junior High Sports and Clubs High School College Prep College Summers between college years Working abroad (in Korea) Missions Trip (short Term) Backpacking around Asia Coming home Learning to forgive  First local teaching job Grad School Friendships with boys Dating Beginnings Dating Long Term   Applying for jobs (and working during the recession) Teaching at a Private School Traveling for the summers Deciding to grow up (no backup plans) New everything (job, home, car, location) YD Embracing a new job and community Teaching in a public middle school Dating to learn  Choosing who to give time to Learning to stand up for / look after myself Learning to truly love Fri...