Growing Young

It must be said

2009-05-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

...the cutest 15 month old in the whole world happens to be my niece. And she will be here to visit starting tomorrow!!! I can hardly contain myself!

Easter 2009

2009-04-15T20:21:00.000-07:00

This year, my family celebrated Easter a week early. My brother in law, Matt, and two nieces, Kaleigh and Danica, were going to be in Costa Rica on a missions trip over Easter, so we wanted to make sure they did not miss the traditional festivities. Here are a few shots from the day...

Jacob, my nephew, came in with the biggest earnings...somewhere around $35!

Yes, Trevor, my nephew who is almost 18, and Chris, my nephew who is 15, are still participating in the egg hunt.

My niece, Ava Jane. She turned 1 this month. What a cutie!

Ava Jane's big brother, Jeremiah. Jeremiah will turn 4 this month. I think he was more into the candy than the cash.

Danica. She is such a beauty at 14.

Over the Easter weekend, Dan and I traveled to Las Vegas...not your typical Easter destination, I know. Dan's big brother, Dave, and sister in law, Lisa, live there. They just had a baby boy last month, and we were eager to meet our new nephew. Elijah James Wilcut makes nephew #5 for us. We had a great time just relaxing at their house and getting to know the incredible blessing that is Elijah.

Uncle Dan.

I was sick with a cold, so I had to keep my distance, but, let me tell you, it was SO hard. I was so jealous when Elijah fell asleep in Dan's arms.

ADORABLE!

On Easter morning, Dave, Dan and I climbed a mountain behind Dave's house that gave us quite a view of the city.

The strip is difficult to see, but it is on the horizon above Dan's melon.

A fitting find considering it was Easter.
Yeah for good memories.

My Distractibles

2009-04-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

"What do you do?" is a common question I get. For some reason, I always struggle with my response. "Well, I am an education therapist...uh...basically I work with kids with learning disabilities...I help them to get caught up...um, yeah..." After I make it through my wobbly explanation and any follow-up questioning, the usual response is, "Oh, that must be difficult work; you must have a lot of patience." Most days, I don't know if I agree with this conclusion. Yes, I am challenged each day, but my personality is well suited for my work. I love what I do...on most days. Today, however, is a different story.

Today, I wished that I worked at Del Taco and assembled tacos for a living. Oh, the simplicity of taco assembly. No complicated kids, wacky parents, bulging in boxes or lesson plans. Just me and the taco.

Dan referred to my students yesterday as "The Distractibles," like they were some race of super heroes. I laughed out loud, as his label was appropriately given; not only do I work with some amazing kids, but many of them have been diagnosed with ADHD, OCD, Tourette's, and the like. Getting them to focus, even in a one-on-one situation can be a challenge. They struggle to get through the daily rigors of academia, and I am their coach. Cheering them on and doing my best to build into them strategies that can help ease their struggle.

But Coach Angel is tired today. It is just one of those days where I am wondering if I am doing any good. I about lost it when I had to explain supplementary angles for the umpteenth time. "Point to the angle. You can do it. No, that is a vertical angle. Remember that supplementary angles form a straight line. Where do you see a straight line...no that is a right angle." Ahhh...

I am so glad how God designed the 24 hour day. There are days when 24 hours doesn't seem to cut it, but on days like today, it is a relief to know today will soon come to a close. After a good night's rest, I am hopeful that tomorrow will mark a new beginning for me and my little kiddos. Yes, tacos might be less complicated, but when I really think about it, a tough day wouldn't be nearly enough for me to give up my front row seat--a seat that allows me into the lives of my incredible Distractibles.

Happy Mother's Day a little early

2009-03-28T06:31:00.000-07:00

Dr. Laura read this on her show this week. I loved what it had said about moms. For moms out there, I , too, share a "deep admiration for the greatness you are building when no one sees." Happy reading!

The Invisible Woman
Excerpt By Nicole Johnson

It started to happen gradually…
One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, “Who is that with you, young fella?”
“Nobody,” he shrugged.
Nobody? The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only five, but as we crossed the street I thought, oh my goodness, nobody?
I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family, like “Turn the TV down, please.” And nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, “Would someone turn the TV down?” Nothing.
That’s when I started putting all the pieces together. I don’t think anyone can see me.
I’m invisible.
It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I’m thinking, “Can’t you see I’m on the phone?” Obviously not. No one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.
I’m invisible.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more.
Can you fix this?
Can you tie this?
Can you open this?
Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human being.
I’m a clock to ask, “What time is it?”
I’m a satellite guide to answer, “What number is the Disney Channel?”
I’m a car to order, “Right around 5:30, please.”
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude – but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.
She’s going…she’s going…she’s gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out of style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped
package and said, “I brought you this.”
It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to me until I read her inscription. “To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.”
In the days ahead I would read, no, devour, the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I would pattern my work:

• No one can say who built the great Cathedrals—we have no record of their names.
• These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.
• They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.
• The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.”
And the workman replied, “Because God sees.”
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece just push into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one else does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become.”
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn, pride.
I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who will show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, “My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for 3 hours and presses all the linens for the table.” That would mean I’d built a shrine or monument to myself. I just want him to come home. And then if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, “You’re gonna love it here.”

Love and Marriage

2009-03-15T04:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Dan and I attended a wedding for Natalie Luter and Ian Lopez. Natalie is the little sister of one of my dearest friends, Joanna. I've had the privilege of watching Natalie, from the time she was only six, grow into such a beauty. What a joy it was to celebrate her special day with her!

I knew very few people at the wedding, and Dan knew even less, but I am so glad he came. We have now been married for eight months (wowy!), and it was awesome to be reminded of the vows and the incredible joy involved in the uniting of two lives. Toward the end of the evening Dan and I danced--something we don't normally do--and while he held me in his arms, I was washed anew with love for this man. He had given his life to me. He is mine and I am his!

The last eight months have been a blissful flurry in a way. Time seems to just whizz by. Learning how to share my life with Dan has been so easy in a lot of ways, but there have been difficult moments. I found myself wanting to tell Natalie last night about the highlights of what I have learned...

1. Your marriage is going to need to be protected...from mainly yourself. It is so easy to let other things get in the way of making marriage your first priority. And those other things can leave you tired and drained, with nothing much to offer to your husband.

2. Let your reverence for Jesus Christ trump your reverence for your husband. You husband is human and is going to sin. In those moments when you are feeling hurt or alone or furious, your reverence for Christ can help you not to fall into sin. When you remind yourself that your behavior is a reaction to your reverence for Christ and not to your husband's action, forgiveness and grace is much easier to give.

3. Wake up each morning and ask yourself, "How can I make my husbands day great today?" I have found that my "old self" likes to make more appearances than I would prefer. I am a very selfish creature on my own; I want my needs met and my desires fulfilled. Reminding myself to put Dan's needs/desires above my own is something I need to do every single day. The beauty of this practice is that my giving is often matched by Dan's desire to bless me in return.

So this is what I would like to tell Natalie. Marriage is an incredible gift and a rich journey, but it does take work. But I am learning that the reward of a happy, thriving friendship is well worth it and beyond anything I could have dreamed of.

Congrats, Natalie and Ian!

Food of the gods

2008-12-23T10:22:00.000-08:00

Before all the Christmas craziness began, we Wilcuts decided to celebrate on our own...at the Melting Pot in Irvine! Our friend and roommate for the next few weeks joined us as well. (Sam is home from Biola and is staying in our guest room.) By the time we had finished the four course meal of cheese fondue, salad, broth fondue with a menagerie of meats, and a chocolate fondue, we were all feeling the early signs of a food coma. We also exchanged gift between courses. What a fun and memorable evening!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-20T07:19:00.001-08:00

The light still exists.
The light still shines.
Thousands of years later, the light is still...
The hope of the world.

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world."
- John 1:9

Amazing Grace

2008-12-05T23:01:00.000-08:00

Grace. I am finally getting what it is all about, and it is changing me. All my life I have heard about God's love for me and his grace. I even taught lessons on these topics, discussed them with girls I mentored, and thanked God for them. The problem was, I hadn't accepted these things myself; I didn't experience them in my life. It has only been recently that I have been awakened to what grace truly is and what it feels like to live under it. And let me tell you...it feels mighty nice.

Understanding more about the gift that grace is, and living under it, has freed/is freeing me from my cage of attempted perfectionism and trying in vain to earn God's approval. This was my m.o. for years, and it ate me up inside. I always wondered why I was so hesitant to share my faith with others. I now realize it was because I was living under such an immense burden and subconsciously did not desire to pass that along to others. The renewal of my mind and heart has been slow, but somewhere in the past two years, my eyes have been opened. The fact that I am loved as I am, and that God will never love me less, no matter what mess I might find myself in, will forever blow my mind.

The last two days, Dan and I have been processing a rather difficult situation together. It had potential to be destructive, but grace won out. I've been reflecting lately on the idea that all things come from God--even the desire and ability to choose grace over shaming and judging. Between Dan and I, love and acceptance was given and healing has come. Want to know one of the most incredible experiences in the world? Giving grace freely and genuinely from a heart that knows what it is like to have been forgiven and loved. Good stuff.

Check out what my incredibly talented husband made...

2008-11-22T10:42:00.000-08:00

As Dan and I were walking though South Coast Plaza one evening, we saw a table at an Environmental Furniture showroom that we both loved. We asked how much it was...$2700! Needless to say, it was beyond our budget. After the saleswoman left us alone for a bit, Dan started checking out how the table was constructed. "I could duplicate this," he told me. A month later, this moved into our kitchen. I love it!

My grandfather was also very creative and handy. My grandmother would often bring home things and he would duplicate them and then she would return them. He died when I was young, so stories about his talent seemed magical and almost too good to be true. Little did I know that my husband would have similar giftings!

Feeling uncomfortable...

2008-09-09T18:51:00.001-07:00

Last night Dan and I finished watching the movie, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden. The basic premise is this: Morgan Spurlock found out he is becoming a father and he starts realizing what a crazy place this world is. He knows that in all the action movies, it ends up being one man who does what a whole government cannot. With that in mind, he begins his mission to make the world a safer place for his coming little one by setting out to find Osama Bin Laden.

The movie was entertaining, yet quite sobering. It sparked much conversation and provoked many emotions in me- fear, anger, sadness, and confusion among others. Dan patiently let me vent as I tried to express as best as I could how disturbing it all is...the affairs of our government (and wrestling with what to believe and what not to believe), the state of unrest among so many counties in the Middle East, how so many are living in such squalor, the devastating effects of war(s), etc. I was left so worked up and overwhelmed about what my role is to be in this vast, broken world. THERE IS JUST SO MUCH NEED. What role does the Lord desire me to play on the local, national, and international levels. I have been given so much and I want to give myself away, but what the heck does that look like?

I don't know, but with Dan, I went to God and invited Him into my fears, my confusions, my grief. He is over all and in the end, He will have the last word. How much peace that brings to my heart in this world of sinful men, corruption, and unknowns. What I do not know is how men and women can live life without knowledge of a loving, all-powerful God being over all. Talk about stress and cause for depression!

Dan and I are still left haunted and quite uncomfortable with our new knowledge. The upcoming elections have us quite uncomfortable, too. Is one candidate better than another? Would Jesus be a polical activist? Is the political arena somewhere I should spend my time?

We will continue to wrestle with these things...and invite God into them as we seek understanding and heart that are modeled after His.

It's a wonderful thing...

2008-07-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

...getting to wake up and come home to my best friend.

One more week...

2008-07-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

...until I get to be Dan's wife, take a much needed vacation with him, and live daily life with him. I can hardly wait!

Meet Ava-Jane Louise

2008-05-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

...the newest Sandoval (P.J. and Jackie's little girlie)! She's got lots of hair and cuteness.

She and Shelby decided to sport matching outfits, so it was time for a photo shoot.

I think I am the luckiest aunt in the world. Two beautiful baby nieces within months of each other.

Photo Opportunity!

2008-04-19T09:15:00.000-07:00

Karey Michelle is not only a friend, but an incredibly gifted photographer. Talk about a gem! When we were with her, it was fascinating to watch her work; she saw beauty and potential in things like light, shadows, and viewpoints...things that I am simply oblivious to.

Click here to see the engagement slideshow she put together for Dan and me. We could not be more pleased (except if my hair would have not been so wind-blown)!

Happy viewing...

http://www.kareymichelle.com/Slideshows/DanAngel/

P.S. Just kidding...I can't figure out how to get the link to link, so you will have to just cut and paste. :(

Life's a funny thing

2008-04-08T13:14:00.000-07:00

Life is a funny thing. Or maybe I just cannot surrender to the fact that it cannot be controlled, dictated or predicted. Whatever the case may be, I never, in a million years, would I have envisioned myself engaged and planning a wedding a year ago. Dan's entrance into my life and planning our life together has completely turned over the perfectly manicured plans I had for my future. Though, I must say that I have never felt more certain about anything in my life.

So for those of you that care to hear the proposal story...

Dan and I drove to Las Vegas to visit his brother and sister-in-law (yes, some people do call it home) for the weekend. Dan picked me up in a rental car after work on Friday (2/29) and we drove to Nevada. On Saturday morning, we awoke early and while I got ready (doing my 1 hr. straighten the hair routine that I save only for special occasions), Dan prepared a lunch. Once every hair of mine was stripped of its curl, we got on our way. Dan drove us into Arizona to Hoover Dam. We drove over the dam and down the a highway that paralleled the Colorado River. I had never been to this place on the earth before and it was lovely. The desert was in bloom, so I just took in the sights as Dan navigated us to our destination.

We parked at a marina where Dan had reserved a boat. It wasn't fancy, but it was clean and allowed us to explore the river. Dan drove us as far up river as we could go, so that we could look up and see the dam from the front. Pretty majestic for a bunch of concrete. We turned around and went down river for a bit until we found a good place to anchor. Once the boat was secure (second times' a charm!), Dan served me the lunch he had prepared...a chicken salad sandwich on homemade (Dan-made) bread. Sounds pretty boring, but it was amazing. (If I haven't mentioned it, Dan is a cook and has a special knack for flavors.)

After lunch, we decided to wade out of the boat onto a rock island that had been exposed because of the low water level. It was there, while I was bending over and choosing which rocks I wanted to cart home, that Dan was getting ready. Right before we were to get back in the boat, he asked me to look at some "other" rocks. I did and there was a box that was clearly out of place among them. As I picked up the box and opened it up to find a ring, he got down on his knee and said (I can only assume) wonderful things to me. I cannot tell you what was said only because his voice was drowned out by my internal voice screaming, "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!!!!" over and over again. I did somehow catch the end where he asked if I would be his wife.

So with rock walls on both sides, the Colorado River rushing by, and not one soul around, I told Dan yes.

Words do not seem adequate to express the gratitude I feel for the blessing that Dan has been/is to me. My life is so greatly enhanced with him in it. He far exceeds any person I have ever envisioned for myself. I am so excited to be his wife.

So, yeah, life is funny, but how thankful I am that it is!

P.S. The wedding is set for July 19th. Three months and counting!

Welcome to Earth

2008-01-26T12:18:00.000-08:00

Fun fact: Holding baby burritos can deeply minister to one's soul. My advice...do it as often as possible!

Oh, and the card was made for Shelby by her cousin, Jacob. Children always word things the best.

She's heeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrre!

2008-01-21T21:50:00.000-08:00

Shelby Grace Kliewer arrived on her due date, January 20th, at around 7am. Mom and baby are doing great. For that I am so thankful. Shelby is so soft and beautiful and it is so fun to finally meet this precious little one.

More pictures to come.

Life With Dan

2008-01-14T19:02:00.000-08:00

I have been absent from the world of blogging for quite some time. There is a reason and his name is Dan.

I find that life with Dan is not only wonderful, but much busier. With the presence of a new significant person, I have much less time for many pieces of my routine that I had grown accustom. I am still a bit awkward with the balance of things (What do I cut out? I love it/them all!), but I am slowly getting things figured out and, as I do, I hope to visit this world more often. Sorry, Shey!

P.S. Dan is great; it feels like I met my best friend. We have tons of fun together and it's tough to imagine how life felt so full before him. He's a keeper. :)

Ode to 'The Quil'

2008-01-14T18:40:00.000-08:00

Wonderous red syrup,
You make my nights so inviting.
By your command the cough takes a hike,
the mucus stops its flow,
And slumber takes it rightful place.
How wrong I was to ever speak against your taste,
Or turn to other imposters,
For I would be nothing without you,
my precious bottle of Nyquil.

Is it bad when you actually like the taste of Nyquil?

A Little About Love

2007-09-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I attended a retreat lead by Brennan Manning. Four sessions later, I find myself reflective, with a renewed understanding of how thoroughly and deeply I am loved by my Abba...and how everything else pales in comparison. The sessions were intimate, maybe 100 or so people, and together we were discipled by this brother who posesses an unmatched passion for the transforming love of Jesus. He's pretty old and there were moments when I feared his gusto just might give him a heart attack! I am still processing all the insights, but here are a few that have stuck with me...

* I am LOVEd as I am, not as I should be
* My primary identity is being Abba's child
* Jesus is LOVE whether I am in a state of grace or disgrace
* The meaning of our religion is LOVE
* LOVE one another as I have LOVEd you

Brennan is humble, witty, and transparent...I could not help but be attracted to him. He exudes freedom, grace, and love and he claims this is because he knows his Abba and knows who he is...Abba's child.

I highly recommend The Ragamuffin Gospel if you've never read one of his books. (Just wanted to mention that I now own a signed copy!)

Where's the off button?

2007-09-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

Cayla (my roomie) really ministered to my heart this morning. She arranged to have us borrow two bikes from some friends in Huntington Beach and we road from their house down to Corona Del Mar and back. I had so much fun trying to avoid being run over, taking in the beautiful views, riding the ferry, and hanging out with a great friend. The pictures don't really do it justice, but it really couldn't have been a more gorgeous day.

I have been feeling so blah. My sister and Jay left this week and I've just really been feeling their absence and thinking a lot about my friendships. Who are my friends? Who would consider me their friend? What friendships do I really want to work to keep deepening? What ones am I okay to step back from? I really wish there was an off button to this brain of mine in times like these. :) So Cayla's tour of the beautiful Southern California coast allowed my brain to rest and I was able to step outside of my blahhness. It was just what I needed!

Yes, I am alive

2007-09-02T16:55:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been a long time since I've posted. For all of you that were wondering, I am alive. If you are reading this, I am amazed at your perseverance. You still check in despite my extended silence.

This summer has been busy with vacations, birthdays, summer school, and job hunting. Summer is officially over as I start my new job on Tuesday. No, I will not be teaching. I was hired to be an educational therapist for the Center for Learning and Behavior Solutions. Basically, I will be working one-on-one with special needs students on their school sites. I am really excited for it seems that this position will really utilize my strengths and my experiences. We'll see how it goes.

The goal is to work this year, pay off my car, and save money. If things go as planned, I will be entering a clinical psychology program in Fall of '08. Just thinking about it gets me pumped!

On a side note, my nephew, Jeremiah, has been in my life a lot more recently (he lived in Oklahoma his first two years because that is where my brother went to school and has now moved home). I just wanted to say that being an aunt is the best thing in the world. I don't have to fight with him to finish his dinner. I don't have to clean up his messes. I don't have to discipline him. I simply get to play with him and enjoy him and then give him back to his mom and dad once he gets ornery. It's a pretty sweet deal...for me at least! :)

School's Out!

2007-06-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

On Friday I took down all the cheesy teaching posters, packed up my desk plant, turned in my keys and said a final farewell to the office staff at Buena Vista. As I drove toward home, I felt such a mix of excitement (the school year was complete and I had survived and even thrived at times!) and sadness (I missed my kids so much already). Somewhere amidst the all the struggles that were had in room C-2, my students had come to occupy a very special place in this heart of mine. On the day before finals, I told each class that I loved them and showed them a slideshow of pictures I had taken throughout the year. Let's just say I teared up in every class.

That night, Linds picked me up and we went to BJ's where we were met by Jason, Laura, and eventually, Joanna, all key players in my support system this year. Over yummy spinach-artichoke pizza and a Berry-Burst beer, I got to thank each of them for the roles they played in walking with me through this intense last year. It was such a sweet evening that I will never forget.

Made Me Smile

2007-06-04T22:57:00.000-07:00

The Master Plan

2007-05-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but "the master plan" for my life is always being modified in ways that I would have never guessed. Sometimes I am fine with the detours. Other times I am left feeling disappointed or confused or angry.

Five years ago, I would have thought that at this point in my life, I would be married and loving my career and maybe thinking about kidlets. None of these are the current reality, however, and I am learning (slowly it seems) how it really looks to embrace today. To embrace and run with all that has been entrusted to me. This type of living takes a lot of trust. Trusting in God's goodness and timing and provision...not always the most natural thing for me.

The current master plan has me resigning my teaching position so that I can go back to school full time to study clinical psychology. As I set out on this new journey, I find myself feeling excitement, mixed with fear. Is this really where God is directing? Am I being irresponsible? I guess as I continue to talk with God and my core community, I may decide that the master plan could use some work, but I am coming to expect that now. :)

White Girl on a Mission

2007-05-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Apparently one of the English teachers showed the film Freedom Writers in class this week, as several of my students told me that I remind them of the teacher in it. Wanting to find out if this was complimentory or not, I rented it last night to see for myself. I found that not only were my students giving me a wonderful compliment, but they were right!

The experiences of Erin Gruwell do not flawlessly parallel my own, but my goodness, in watching the film, I did feel that I had met a soulmate who understood both internal and literal battles involved in teaching the students of Los Angeles. One of my favorite scenes is Erin's first day of school. As I watched it, I just laughed because I knew EXACTLY how she felt. I wanted to tell her, "It does get better. Just give it time...a lot of time." It's May of my second year and it is only now where I am finally comfortable in my role. There are many days where I even enjoy it.

For those of you that do not know, I teach Algebra to 11th and 12th grade students at a continuation high school in Paramount, CA.

Here goes nothing

2007-05-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

Lindsey and I were talking about how hard it is for us to talk about daily life stuff and not feel like total bores. We both agree, however, that when we are reading about other people's trips to Starbucks or new baby teeth or what was had for dinner, we really enjoy it. This blog site will be good for me to practice this awkward task and hopefully help me stay in better contact with people who live so very far and so cannot see the day to day happenings. If you're at all interested, stay tuned!