Semester 1 complete?

Wow!  Today marked the end of the first semester!!  Where in the world did the last 4 and a half months go?  Who knows?

Well, to catch you up a bit on the craziness of the past week or two...last weekend was full of one event after the next including the watching of the Geminids Meteor Shower near Window Rock on Thursday night followed by the midnight showing of The Hobbit!  Friday consisted of some pretty awesome karaoke in gallup where NaShia and I made our debut as "302" (aka - our band name)....we will be coming to a place near you sometime in the next 80 years....haha!  Saturday consisted of seeing the Nutcracker ballet in Gallup - which ended up with driving back in blizzard conditions!

OH YEAH - did I mention at all that the weather here the past couple weeks has been snow crazy!!!???  We have had two snow days at my school already - last Friday and yesterday (Wednesday)...nuts!

Sunday was yet another great day as I had the opportunity to play piano at the parish in Fort Defiance!  It was a grand old time...and is giving me the opportunity to continue to make my face known as a piano player/musician in the area - good for the future!  I have already been asked to accompany here or there for a few things and it's been so neat...I have so many people to thank for pushing me along with piano too - (shout out to Laurie, mom, Marilyn, Elaine...) Piano is an escape for me and although I haven't been able to play as much as I have wanted to at times, I am starting to find ways to do it which is amazing!

Then, this week at school I have been trying to wind down the semester for my students...which hasn't been easy with all the snow - they were so ready for a break.  It was fun though to see them genuinely seem to care about not seeing me for a couple weeks (at least the 4th graders said they would miss me.... haha)  I am truly getting excited about taking that next step as a teacher next semester and really trying out some new things.  Lots of reading to do over break to get ready for literature groups and lots of thinking about how to continue to create an environment where pre-teens find comfort - comfort enough to be themselves.

So much more to say, but we are off to watch a movie while we wait for our drive to the Albuquerque airport at 3 am tomorrow (aka - 6 hours from now)  I fly into Minneapolis and will be picked up by the bro Ben...spend a night at SJU, then visit with relatives, then on home for a couple weeks.  IT truly has been an unreal feeling the past couple days realizing I will be "home" tomorrow....I am excited yes...but it is unlike the feelings I had two years ago when returning from Ireland.  Now, it is the feeling that "yes, this will be a nice trip to see my family...but then it will be time to return home here..."  This place continues to capture me and I can't wait to see where it takes me next.

Alright off for now.  Who knows - maybe I'll check in from Winona these next couple weeks so look for it!  Otherwise enjoy these few pictures of the snow and friends:

Whole bunch of us teachers and volunteers

First snow day snowman

how pretty is that??

bonfire!

St. Nick's day already?

Wow!  It has been almost a month since my last post...and what a month it has been!  It has simply been crazy with one thing right after the next - life is a changing and taking us all down paths "we never knew we never knew" (quote from Wicked - anyone get it?)!  haha!  Anyways, I believe the last time I posted was the week before Thanksgiving, so I did not even get to share my adventures from that week...  

I spent the weekend and early week days before Thanksgiving in the city of Phoenix visiting a good old friend from high school - Caitlin that's you - and then my wonderful Aunt and Uncle and family.  It was a wonderful short trip filled with some hiking, lots of talking, experiencing a city (of sorts) once more, touring a school, and family.  Some pictures from the hiking are below...Camelback mountain with Caitlin one day and Squaw peak the next day on my own - not to mention a 4 hour morning indulgence at a coffee shop (What are those again?  You might forget living here on the rez)!  Needless to say it was a trip full of reflection on life changes and life possibilities...so much to see and simply experience in this world - I just want to do it all!

A morning read on the Deignan porch 

REAL cacti!

Thanksgiving itself was full of wonders too as I spent it with a variety of volunteers, past volunteers, and parents of volunteers.  What a feast it was and what a family it was to share with!  Still missed everyone back in Winona, but it was still a time of great Thanksgiving!!! and that's what it's all about right?

The past couple weeks have been some pretty crazy weeks too as the semester begins to come to a close...mid terms reports went out over a week ago now...and really both the students and teachers are "Hanging on" a little bit I believe in my eyes.  Now, that is not to say that I haven't been enjoying it...in fact quite the contrary!  I have had endless moments the past couple weeks where I have had the opportunity to take a step out of myself from time to time and just witness the amazing experience I am having.  When a discussion on a book leads to a discussion of Navajo flood stories (similar in nature to Noah and the great flood from the Bible) I simply become engulfed in the joy of the moment.  Or, when my students take my idea to debate a topic and soar with it - truly getting into their arguments almost to the part where I have to break them up...haha - I just smile!

Of course, there continue to be the times where I want to beat my head with a stick...but hey the life of a teacher no?  The latest news in Mr. D's classroom has to be the incentive I gave my students for our upcoming penny war starting next week.  I told them this morning...if we win - after break, I shave my head completely! haha!  The looks on all their faces was priceless as it immediately sparked an interest in the competition (Now, do they realize that I don't have that much hair to begin with? no!  But hey if they think it's still a big deal...then it's a big deal! Anything to raise money!)

Next Friday marks the elementary Christmas program as well, which evidently I have brought the task of accompanying grades K-8 on the piano on myself by offering at our staff meeting yesterday.  Should be an interesting night to say the least!  Can't wait to sing "Joy to the World" with my 6th graders and have them share their one "Thing that Santa's elves say or do on Christmas eve"  It is quite the list let me tell you - should provide a good laugh!

Speaking of Christmas decorations, I got sick and tired of hearing my 6th graders say how boring my room was in regards to Christmas decorations today that I took the hour that used to be ART (but has changed now due to the art teacher taking a break?) and said "OKAY, you want decorations...here are the materials boys and girls, make them!!!!"  haha...they did a great job of making styrofoam ball ornaments today to say the least.  I was pretty proud of my problem solving on that one...no money for Christmas decorations, no problem - use the 28 creative minds sitting in front of you!

Alright well, we are off to a St. Nicholas party at the trailer court!  We are bringing three desserts and are supposed to bring a shoe and something to put in them for everybody else - sooo pumped!!!!  Anyways, hope you all had a wonderful past few weeks and thank you for your continued support and prayers.  I hope you find this time and season of advent to be truly a time of preparation!  As my one second grade student in Religious Ed on Tuesday night and I said in the words of John the Baptist "PREPARE THE WAY! MAKE READY FOR GOD!" :) :) :)

Peace friends and family!

Oh and also...first bonfire in the backyard....