My name is Mrs. Eilertsen

Student: "Is this worth points?"
Mrs. E.: "Yes. Everything we do is for points. Now that you asked I'm doubling the points and the length of the assignment. I don't want to waste your time. You must think I'm wasting your time by how short the assignment is, so I'll add more to it."

Mrs. E.: "Please describe yourself to the class."
Student: "I'm chill"
Mrs. E.: "Chill. Can you expand on that choice of word? What do you mean by it?"
Student: "I'm chill."
Mrs. E. "Yes, we've established that. What are you trying to say?"
Student: "It means I'm chiiiilllll"

Student: "Teacher!"
Mrs. E.: "I have a name. What is it?"
Students: "Mrs. (mumble mumble mumble)
Mrs. E.: "My name is Mrs. Eilertsen. If you can't say it, then call me Mrs. E. One or the other. I don't call you student. I call you by your name."
Student: "Do you know your name is misspelled everywhere else?"
Mrs. E.: "Yes. I am. There's nothing I can do about it. Spell it like you see it in my room."

2 Students: (whispering, talking)
Mrs. E.: "Seriously?! First day of school? Do I have to move you?"
1 of 2 students: "What, me?"***
Mrs. E.: "Yes, you. No one else is talking!"

***I would like to add a grammatical correction. The student's real response should have been, "Who, me?"

Those above conversations were excerpts for your reading enjoyment. Real life quotes!

And so it begins. I got my students Monday, and I have to say it is going very well. Of course the first week of school you have to be so much more strict and emphasize procedures. For example, I've noticed my classes are all messy. So that means tomorrow I have to lecture, then check the room before they leave. Ugg. Teenagers.

Anyway, I have 4 sections of freshmen English and 1 section of sophomore English. So far, so good. I forget though, how entertaining (and alien-like) teenagers can be. Today, we had a student orientation in 3rd hour-which meant I had to drag my class across campus, lecture them on behavior, take attendance there, and listen to an assembly. Like teenage boys can actually focus for an hour on lectures about student parking, dress code and consequences. Hormones running everywhere. Since I don't know all of the students really well yet, I wasn't sure the name of these two boys that seemed to keep talking during the assembly. I got annoyed. So, I got up, gave them THE FINGER POINT and moved both of them. One had to sit by me (EWWW gross!!!!!). HAHAHAHAHA!!!!

I will admit, the first time I taught (at the age of 21), I would NEVER have done that. I would have been too intimidated to point at a student and finger-wiggle him over to me to then lecture him on his behavior and move his seat. This time today, I don't know what took over, but I did it. I moved them. Then, when I got back to class, I discovered the two boys weren't even in my class at all!!! I have authority over all...

In a later class, glimpsing a hint of maturity in their responses to a question, I then asked, "how do you handle someone disrespecting you?" (Of course thinking they will answer something wise and thoughtful). My bad. The answer I got was "egg their house. It's fun."

Seeing their writing skills is somewhat funny and horrifying at the same time. For example, did you know you can now use the word "chill" to describe yourself (as referenced above)? What does that mean?!?! I also learned "baller" (kind of afraid to know the real meaning of this one), and "sexy" (yes, that really was on a paper. This word would never have crossed my mind in high school but okay....1 point I guess...she also described her mom as sexy, so maybe 2 points?). Eeesh....

What smells?

So Garrett and I have this gift of smell. We smell everything. Everything. And I love smelling things-it just always triggers some sort of memory. Plus, I can smell things from far away.

The problem with this gift is that some smells trigger a memory I don't want. For example, the air freshener in the bathroom. I bought it at Costco and plugged it in...then realized it was the same one as when I had the flu a few weeks ago. I tried to leave it in there (and I had a few others around the house) but everywhere I went in the house I just kept getting flashbacks of vomiting over the toilet. And even though the air freshener is fruity, I still smell fruity air freshener and vomit mix. Totally nasty.

I had to unplug all the air fresheners and toss them.

It's like a circle!

Me, in my new apartment, in 2003 when I first started teaching

I start my new teaching job tomorrow. I admit, this last week was incredibly overwhelming, and I came home and cried once! Poor Eric has to put up with me...

My room is ready, my lesson plans are done for week 1, so here I go! I am nervous, but I feel much more prepared to be the adult in the classroom, and more aware of who I am and what I want from my students. I am praying a lot-I want to love this new job and my students. I want to enjoy teaching!

I have to laugh at myself. The first time I quit teaching, I insisted I would never do it again (yet, here I am!). When I moved back to California, I insisted I would never move back to Arizona (yet, here I am!). I think now, I can really say that God brought me back to California that first time so I could spend time with Dad. I cherish the time I had with him and Mom; hanging out at the house, meeting Dad for lunches, and discussing finances in his gun room.

Does my heart ache a little? Yes; rather a lot! I find I miss talking to Dad-and I've dreamt more than once that I was talking on the phone with him. Is that God's way of comforting my heart? It could be. I wake up, though with an ache, with a happy memory. How I wish I could call Dad and tell him all about my week and hear his words of wisdom.

But, my heart has to continue on this new journey without Daddy. Though, I am definitely not alone this time around. God has given me a wonderful, patient, hilarious husband to keep me balanced.

I feel like I've made a circle...I started teaching in Arizona, left and here I am again, only with more support and preparation. So, just maybe, this time around will be much better...

Grief Share

I wasn't sure if I wanted to blog about this or not, but then I decided I might as well. I am participating in what is called Grief Share. Grief Share is a Christian based ministry that focuses on the loss of a loved one. You watch a 13 week video series, then share your experiences with others in the group (who have all lost someone as well). We've gone twice now (so we're only on week two), but so far I have found it to be a wonderful experience.

What's most helpful is that right after Dad died, I wanted so badly to read or hear about someone else's experience with losing their father. I wanted to find something in the Bible that would direct me in how to react or heal. This ministry has definitely been a blessing (though, it took quite a few people to encourage me to go!!!).

I noticed on their website http://griefshare.org/ they send out daily emails. I signed up just to see what they are all about. Today's email shared this verse:

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

I cannot imagine going through this without God's help and comfort. I don't think I could.

I think I've posted this picture already, but I just love looking at it!!!

More Pics!

Here' s some more pictures from California...

Me and Mom on the Sailboat

Picture of the Carson Mansion from the Sailboat

Mom and Whitney

Close up!

I forgot to mention my love of eating when I'm in Humboldt County. We have a family joke about that but it's a secret. Anyway, I think I ate my way across the County...Ferndale Pizza Company topping out as one of my favorites...so yummy...I have to say though, I am not a fan of HURL-nan's...(aka Hunan's but I renamed it for its disgusting chinese food...seriously...gross). Though I enjoyed the company I ate with!!!

Do you believe?

Our Bible study group, which started up again last night, is studying Focus on the Family's "The Truth Project". Our topic last night focused on the question "What is Truth?" I know my answer, but watching the video we saw so many kinds of answers, and those struggling for an answer!

In 1828, Noah Webster defined truth as "Conformity to fact or reality, exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be...We rely upon the truth of the scriptural prophecies."

This led to the main question for the study "Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?" Think about it. Do you? Do you really have FAITH in what you believe in? I challenge you to think about this with me, because lets be honest, we're not here forever. I will die someday, but I know my answer and I have that awesome, awesome peace that I know exactly where I'm headed. I know Jesus (and Daddy!!!) will be waiting for me at the gates of heaven. Why? How do I know this for sure? Because I believe fully in the Bible. And the Bible tells me that if I accept Jesus as my personal savior, if I entrust my whole life to Him and believe in Him, then I am going to Heaven.

One thing brought up during Bible study is the idea that people think they are good. We are not. We were created to be, but we fell into sin. Humanity chose to walk away from God and sin. So we are separated. Jesus came for this reason-to save us, and to tell us the truth. He is the truth. He is all I need.

When I really sit and think about this question, if I believe what I believe is really real, I am comforted that I do. I've never questioned it. Because I know I am not perfect, I'm human, I sin. I was separated from God until I accepted Jesus as my Savior.

I was 9 years old. And it's such a sweet memory I can't help but share it. Dad was working a lot and we did not have a church to go to. Mom led Garrett and I in little Bible studies. And this one night it was about Jesus. I can't at all tell you what passage or verses, but I know we read our study as usual, prayed and then went to bed. But I clearly can picture Mom standing in the doorway of my bedroom asking if I prayed to accept Jesus as my Savior. I said yes. I didn't question it.

I can honestly say I have never questioned my decision. Never. Even when Daddy died, that for me was an even stronger reason to know Jesus. To be in His presence. To let Him be my comfort. Don't misunderstand me, it's not like I've never been angry about things or frustrated with a path I knew God wanted me to take, but for all that, He is my everything.

I have no doubt my family will be with me in Heaven. I praise God for that. But what I would love more than anything is to know that those of you who I love-my friends- will also be with me. I can't tell you what decision to make, but I do encourage you to think about the question. Do you really believe that what you believe is really real? Do you know what is in your future if you don't know Jesus?

Horses, Sailing, Visiting

Me and Mom before the Sailing Ride

Captain Tom

Mom and Tracy (Capt. Tom's wife)

I was impressed at my photographing skills here-all the sailboats look so awesome!

A few of The Pony Club girls riding their horses during their lesson

I spent the last two weeks in California with Mom. She is one busy woman!!! I saw a few friends from my old work (who I miss a ton), went to church, watched Mom horseback ride and met all her horse friends, and we went sailing courtesy of the McGinnis'. It was fun!!!