Off we go on another adventure!!

Hello!

So I know that I haven't been updating nearly as much as I would like - however, it has been quite the past couple weeks here on the rez.  So here are a couple quick updates - most of us mercy volunteers leave tomorrow morning to head to California for our mid-year retreat!! ahh...definitely needed!

So those updates...

The southwest liturgical conference two weekends ago = AMAZING!  This conference definitely gave me the opportunity to remember and more fully recognize some of my strongest passions in life - that being MUSIC and the want to make mass/church a place where people find a community...it opened up some doors in my mind that I didn't realize were open - perhaps a life as a Parish music minister??? :) :) :)...so now the amount of doors open in my mind are basically endless! I am so blessed to have these opportunities flowing through my mind...but man is it tiring to think about choosing my next step in life!  

Here are a few pictures from the event....

This is actually just our choir at church every Sunday!

Opening prayer

Some of the St. Michael's group that went

Another great choir!

Old Town Albuquerque - turned the corner to find this bear just sitting all lonely on the bench...haha it was ridiculous!

In regards to school, my relationship with my students is a rollercoaster as any teacher should expect.  One day I want to just give up, the next I love them all so much I don't even know what to do with myself!!!  haha...we are in the middle of a space unit right now and just finished up listening to their Planet Speeches today - fun times!  It will be good to get out of this crazy month of January where I believe the students have had two or three days off, three or four 2 hour delays (two consecutive ones the last two days), and I myself have been gone after this week four days due to that conference and now the retreat!!! Ahhhhh...I really do hate missing class.  It's so annoying trying to stay consistent with the kids and catch up on things when you are GONE!  haha

Alright, off to finish packing for California - please continue to send your prayers to me and our community as well!  Thanks!

Back home in AZ - ready for the warm weather....oh wait...

Well Hello there everybody!

We are back in Arizona!  We arrived back at our lovely blue house Sunday January 6th and it has already been a crazy week and a half or so since being back.  Not going to lie though, it hasn't exactly been the easiest transition for any of us after getting a little taste of our lives away from here.  It's always hard transitioning though right?

Well anyways, after a week full of disappointing football games and cold weather, we had a whopping 45 minutes of school time this morning before being let out due to the FROZEN PIPES in all the buildings on campus!  Yes that's right...frozen pipe day! It has been getting down to -15 or -20 or so the last several nights and tonight is not supposed to be much better with it forecasted to reach -22!!!!  Crazy.  We already have a two hour late start - so we will see what happens...

This quarter we are moving into preparing for accreditation of our school which is getting pretty crazy! However, I love it too!  I love that our school is taking it upon ourselves to take a look in the mirror and point out what we need to work on as a school in order to make it the best possible place for our students.  The kids deserve it.

I am also looking forward to this upcoming week because on Wednesday I leave for Albuquerque where I will be attending the Southwest Liturgical Conference for four days!  I will be attending with a few members of the mission parish and am thoroughly pumped to learn about different religious education realms from great speakers and leaders of the church here in the Southwest!  I am even attending a session where none other than a Norbertine Canon will be the speaker - Woot woot!

It should be a wonderful learning experience that will certainly challenge me to continue to be the best educator I can while always keeping in mind and intertwining my gift of faith!

Alright, off to play banana grams - becoming a house favorite - gotta love it!

Peace

p.s.  New Year's Resolution - Take me where you want me to go God (hahaha...but seriously)

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....

Thanksgiving break approaching fast

Wow!  Where in the world did the last couple weeks go?  I cannot believe that Thanksgiving week is next week already...I just don't get it.  I was thinking about this blog today at school and wondered how long it had been since I posted and then when I saw that it was almost two weeks ago, I couldn't believe it.

Alright alright, enough about my realization that time flies here in St. Michael's....The last couple weeks at school have been two of the best weeks I have had yet.  It has been crazy but so good too.  I have felt truly happy on many days the past couple weeks with what I am doing here and now!  And man does that feel good.  This place certainly has changed me and I can tell will continue to change me every single day.

This week, my 6th graders had the task of teaching kindergartners how to do something such as tie a tie, tie their shoe, make a paper airplane, etc.  It was one of the best moments of the year on Wednesday when I saw them teaching the kindergartners...yes they still drive me crazy on some days, but when I see them take on my role as the teacher for younger kids - they turn into new students - more....(oh I don't know what the word is...) RESPONSIBLE! haha.  Also, this week in science for all three grades, we have jumped into our "Appliance autopsies" in which the students take apart some sort of old electronic such as a remote control car, old heater, old radio, etc. in order to find out how it broke and what might be wrong with the motor or wires.  And man oh man was it a blast today.  I don't think the smile came off my face all day as the students continually were yelling out my name "Mr. D! Mr. D!  Look at this!  We found the motor!  Oh look at this, we found the on/off switch!"  What a great experience as a teacher when you realize that your students actually HAVE been listening the past several weeks.

Anyways, I could go on and on but I really just wanted to give a quick update.  This weekend I am leaving for Phoenix with the fifth grade teacher, Ann to visit a couple different people.  First, my friend Caitlin from high school for a couple nights and then on to my aunt and uncle's house for a night before jumping in the car with Ann and her parents on Tuesday - when we will stop in Sedona on the way back for a night.  It will certainly be a good weekend for reflection...which is what I need...

Continue to send your prayers please as I discern what I'm doing with my life.  And please know that I am truly grateful for all of you in my life whoever you are reading this.  I will hopefully check back in with some photos and things this weekend some time - perhaps tomorrow.

Oh and by the way, it snowed about three inches last weekend here...so don't be asking me how I'm liking the warm weather...pretty sure its colder here than wherever you are reading this.  Love you all.

Yeah thats my neighborhood!

CRAZY HALLOWEEN WEEK

Well, this will be a short post but just thought I'd give a quick update:  This past week went by crazy fast - and probably because it WAS crazy....The combination of Halloween, All Saint's Day liturgy, and a FULL MOON created quite the atmosphere in the room.  Needless to say, however, it was still a fun week that included lots of "fun" time for the kids which they surely enjoyed.

Last weekend was great fun as well - we had a little get together at our house last Friday and there were some great costumes including Three Blind Mice and Wonderwoman from our household.  Then, on halloween the next picture is of the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade teachers in our costumes....if you can't tell I am a gray crayon with a black tip?  Couldn't find any gray paper alright...no judging.  The fifth graders thought it was pretty fun to call me Mr. DeMaGRAY for the day though which was enjoyable.

Next week, will be starting a few more neat projects with the kids including dissecting of simple machines such as old radios, cd players, electronic toys...the kids will love that.  I will also be having the 6th graders plan a lesson for the kindergartners - we are reading Sign of the Beaver where a young settler boy teaches a Penobscot Native American boy how to read...so I wanted to give the 6th graders a little taste of what it's like to be a teacher...it should be great!

Anyways, last night, Jamie (another mercy volunteer who teachers at the high school) had put together a talent show at the high school to raise money for the drama club that she is the head of.  They needed some acts so I played Waterfall by Jon Schmidt (Little shout out to little bro John...I thought about playing "All of Me" but simply would not have been up to your standards John...haha)  It was a great event that I believe raised a couple hundred bucks for the drama club so we were all pumped for Jamie.

Now, we are off to our fall retreat at the Desert House of Prayer here in St. Michael's.   Sister Jeanne O'Rourke (wonderful Sister of Mercy from Omaha Nebraska) is here visiting for it too so it should be great!   Alright, peace!!!

Meant to post this morning....but didnt have time to add the pictures so now I am posting it...the retreat was great!!! And we stopped at the pow wow in honor of Sister Marguerite at the high school gym afterward where a few of my students were actually dancing...check it out...

Getting Chilly!

Well it is most certainly getting chillier by the day here on the Rez.  This morning, woke up to a brisk 17 degree chill - but it does feel good actually!  There is nothing like a cold fall morning with that wonderful fall SMELL.  It even exists here in Arizona.  Anyways, another week in the books with the students.  

Last weekend as I mentioned before we ran in the Duke City Team Marathon in Albuquerque.  What a race it was too - we all did great and finished with a total time of 3 hours and 44 minutes which placed us 25th out of 63 co-ed teams.  Not too shabby!  We also had the chance to make stops at Best Buy, Target, Olive Garden, and an Irish pub for the Packer game while there which was quite the treat!  The little things are what counts! :)

However, the weekend did take its toll on me and I think I am just fully recovering from a pretty nasty cold.  It was a little tough teaching on a few of the days though - But, Tuesday was the 6th grade retreat  in Ganado (about 35 minutes away) so I didn't have to do too much that day.  It was a pretty neat day for the kids with the chance to hike on a hill by the parish.  Neat stuff

Parish in Ganado

Anywho, turned in report cards on Thursday for the first quarter so we are full fledged into the 2nd quarter now.  And, Mr. D. is kicking it up a notch with the sixth graders in particular.  No more messing around!  Time for book reports, US state reports, etc.  I have come to realize the one question that will stump middle school teachers worldwide :  How do you get the students to care about other students and the class as a whole?  Even when they know that their own behaviors are costing the class certain privileges?  haha..I'm still searching for an answer..

Last night, our house put on a little get together for fellow co-workers and teachers and was quite fun.  Some good costumes including these Three Blind Mice that kept bumping into people all night...It was a fun night to say the least!  On to watching a little football later tonight and constantly checking my phone for updates on Cotter football in the section semifinals!  Go Cotter!

Remember Window Rock?  Climbed up the back yesterday!!!

Only three weeks until Thanksgiving break already! Crazy!  Alright, peace!