too much silence

turns out grad school eats a lot of time. [and my face.]

havent been doing too awful much exciting stuff the last few weeks [or months]. my schedule is fairly consistent and fairly busy.

i'm loving my job. i get sososo much great experience and all the love a girl could ever ask for. that little boy gives the best hugs and pats and kisses. and then there are lots of other sweet boys and girls in the classroom to help out too. it always amazes me how those six year olds can tell when you are having a bad day. sometimes they dont even say anything, just walk up and give me a hug. i mean, logically i know that those moments are probably the ones when they need a hug [theyre little and little kids need lots of hugs and love] but it amazes me how those moments so often line up with mine.

plus, they tell me i look pretty and that they love me. what girl doesnt like hearing those words on a daily basis?

there is also plenty of laughter to go around. nobody told me kindergarten was so hilarious. of course, we do have a few particular goofballs in the room. but its nice to have so much laughter in my life.

and grad school is going well too. i heard these rumors before i started that grad school was easy. [or maybe that it was easier than undergrad?] but that has been far from the truth. i work on my projects and studying for my classes now probably more than i ever did for my undergrad stuff. but its more exciting. every single thing i do relates to teaching. i've applied so much of what i'm learning to my job. so its really super practical and fun. i dont mind working so much because i can see how it affects my job [and my future job] directly. thats nice. i really recommend grad school.

so. other things since october.
1. i spent halloween with benji and leslie and jamin. went to their church's fall festival and to church with them on sunday. it was supposed to be a secret trip, so that no one would know that i was in town and not seeing anyone from bellevue. but i spent sunday night at home and got totally caught. i was walking down to the willoughbys to return something. when i walked by the neighbors house, i heard a loud noise. and it was andrew. who about broke down the locked front door trying to get to me. and there were about 6 of the youth kids in the house. busted. but it was good to see them anyway.

2. thanksgiving was lovely. saw some old friends. ate good food. i love thanksgiving. i think thats why i refuse to listen to Christmas music or decorate for Christmas before thanksgiving. i dont want thanksgiving to get overlooked. i love the parade and the food and the friends and the family.

3. Christmas was great! i celebrate about 4 of them. so i get a lot of Christmas in a few days. and its wonderful.

4. spent new years in an interesting way. went to nathan's house. got to hang out with susie and nathan and andrew and daniel and mrs. kimberly. we went out at midnight and banged on pots and pans, which is apparently a dennison family tradition. so that was special. and then i went to the willoughby's and played dominos until 3 am.

5. came back to jackson on new years day because the jessica was coming to town! carrie had her baby two days before Christmas and jes was coming to town to see little audrey. she stayed with me and much fun occurred. i miss her. we even went to lambuth [i know! crossing enemy lines] to visit their bookstore and buy t-shirts. good times.

6. j-term is happening. and i'm taking an online class. and creating a website. good grief.

7. leslie and jamin came to see me this weekend. they got here friday night. and we spent all day saturday together. we ate thai food. it was the first time i had ever had it. but it was really good. i will be eating it again. [its not better than new hong kong sesame chicken. but good.]

well. there you go.