Sammy-isms

Okay, I have some really funny lines and conversations from my little buddy, Sammy. Now that his sister is on the speech team/club (not really sure), I pick Sammy up from school and come to my apartment for about 45 minutes. He finds all kinds of awesome things here, so most of these stories are from this week, or other times he has been here.

1. He thinks my pantry is an elevator. Usually he makes a b-line for said pantry, opens the door, and pulls me in. We press buttons and make elevator noises. It is hilarious.

2. He thinks my roommate's microwave is a radio. It is a very modern/trendy looking microwave and it is bright blue. Another lady thought it was a safe, so I guess it is a bit misleading. He thinks it can pick up radio waves.

3. Another item that belongs to my roommate...she has a nightstand deal that has a little cabinet on top and an open shelf on bottom (you can find this at Bed, Bath, and Beyond). Yesterday, we came into the room and while I was getting something for him, he said, "Oh look, it is a refrigerator. [He opens the cabinet and pretends to pull something out.] Here, Erin, have a pretend Coke. [I take the "Coke" and say thank-you.] No, Erin, you need to open it up and drink it now."

4. Leaving the school building...there are usually a few other cars outside waiting when we leave, and there is always a Chrysler Sebring convertible with an older man and his grandchildren. Sammy usually talks to him, but on Thursday, there were two minivans behind this Sebring. One of them was a white Honda Odyssey. He was so excited! He said, "Oh Erin, look, look at this beautiful Honda Odyssey. Miss, Miss, you have such a beautiful Honda Odyssey." The lady in the car had her windows down and she just kind of gave one of those awkward smiles and said thanks.

5. Have I mentioned that he is not quite potty-trained? Well, the other day I took him to the bathroom and started to leave the room as he said, "Wait, I need you to turn my pee pump on." Don't worry...he thinks he has buttons on his back and an engine that needs to be started like a lawn mower. So, I pretend to push these buttons and then I pull his engine cord like a lawn mower. Oh.my.goodness. This boy is so creative.

6. He has days when he hates my hair and others when he really likes it. Wednesday was a day that he did not like it. "Your hair is scary! It is too prickly and crispy. I don't like the curly look." That really made me feel awesome about myself, but it's okay, I am used to it.

7. He is big into the Magic Schoolbus and Ms. Frizzle. However, he thinks that Ms. Frizzle is going to come into HIS body. He is always asking me where the yellow schoolbus can come in. We have had a few awkward moments with that one, but, nonetheless, it is still hilarious.

8. We spend our days at my house playing on the playground or looking at www.internationaltrucks.com. He wants a CXT or an RXT. I am learning so much about cars.

9. I know I that I have already mentioned the vents and how he thinks the Toy Story characters are there, but now, he thinks there are people in the vacuum system. They have one of those cool all-over-the-house vacuum things that you just plug the vacuum into this wall thing and turn on a switch in the garage. It is pretty cool. There are three of those that I know of, and he usually stops at them to look for the lights and the people.

10. He wants to have a friend over from school. His friend has a wheelchair, so Sammy has been making "plans" to build a lift and a ramp at his house. Also, his mom told him that we would have to make arrangements to have this boy over. So, the other day he grabbed me and said we needed to go make arrangements in his room for his friend to come over. We got out some paper and started making "arrangements." He is so funny.

Okay, those are just a few of my fun stories. I hope you found them entertaining as well!

Oops

I accidentally hit enter in Hello before I finished my post. Anyway, this is the conversation that took place between Maddisyn and I:

Setting: An art room with cafeteria like tables (Maddisyn and I had to move to a more secluded area because she is a bit energetic and tends to get distracted. Here is evidence of that.) We were in the middle of reading a book, How to Make a Mudpie.

M=Maddisyn
E=Me

M: You need some stones. You need some leaves. (turn page) You need...you know, I used to be in kindergarten here, but now I am in first grade.
E: Right, right.
M: I really liked my kindergarten class, but I liked my preschool class even more.
E: Really? Why is that?
M: Well, it was at my church. And I learned about God there.
E: That's really neat, Maddisyn.
M: I am in a Christian family, you know...You need plates. You need soap.

It was the cutest thing. How cool that my little tutoring buddy is a Christian. What are the odds?!?

Meet my little friend, Maddisyn. She is so adorable. Today she had on that blue bracelet (see photo) and it is one of the God Strong bracelets with Eph. 3:16 or something from Ephesians. Also, the other day during our 30 minutes of tutoring, this conversation took place: 

Torn

Today I set out on an 8-week journey with ISU. I started tutoring for my literacy class. Our goal is to take a first grade student who may or may not struggle with reading and writing and help them grow in whatever skills they have or may not have.

I met Maddisyn today. She is six-and-a-half years old and loves to talk. She thinks that blue, pink and white are the most "beautifulest colors." She loves Heffalumps and Strawberry Shortcake. She is really cute and seems to be a pretty happy little girl. However, after today, I have come to a few conclusions.

What I know:
-I know I love children. I really do. I think they are so fun to be around and they teach me so much.
-I know I love school. My heart skips a beat when I go into elementary schools. I don't know if it is the paste smell or the smell of bland cafeteria food, but something inside of me is triggered and I can't get enough of it.
-I know I love teaching. I like seeing those lightbulbs come on in someone's head.
-I know I love school supplies and the fall...the combination of the two is even better! It is just so exciting!

What I don't know:
-I don't know if I am cut out to be a teacher.
-I don't know if I have the patience required to be a teacher.
-I don't know if I have the right personality to win the hearts of every student in a classroom.
-I don't know if I have enough creativity in these bones to come up with fresh, exciting ways to help a child learn.

I have been struggling lately in my classes. When I say struggling, I mean that I am stuck. I feel like I have been building on this foundation and working toward this goal, and now that I am so close I can taste it, I don't know if I even like the taste anymore. Now, I know that everyone has doubts and everyone questions their "calling" in life, but I have been back and forth with these thoughts for over a year now.

Student teaching applications are due in a week. I haven't started mine. That is SO not like me. I have to choose my cluster and decide where I want to be placed and I have no idea. None whatsoever. I would love to go to Kenya and work at West Nairobi School, but ISU won't let me. So, I guess I will just have to play the waiting game and hope and pray that everything falls into place in the next week.

More updates to come...

Failed to Mention

In light of Deby's question in the comment section, I thought I would tell you a little bit about those monkeys. Four years ago when we went on safari, we experienced the hippo pond on the border of Kenya and Tanzania. While there, I had the pleasure of feeding some crazy vervet monkeys. The guide said we weren't supposed to, but he let us feed them a few crackers. However, my dad and I were not so smart and got out the whole box. Monkeys aren't stupid, you know. One of the "ring leaders" thought it would be fun to start grabbing at the entire box, to which I responded by putting it on my head where it was "out of reach." Man, I am an idiot. The monkey began to climb up my back to take the box. My aunt was not so happy about that. She doesn't like monkeys and she doesn't trust them. Now I understand why.

Now, about this summer. Yes, the monkeys came to our neighborhood. Kelly has even experienced having a small black monkey on her kitchen table. I really wish I could have been there for that event. The monkeys only came to the compound this summer and ran back and forth on top of the houses. They were tiny vervet monkeys wanting to eat the loquats (some fruit tree, not sure of the spelling). The dogs on the compounds were going nuts. Also, we went to the Ngong Forest one Saturday for Ethan to participate in a bike-a-thon race thing. The Ngong Forest has 3-5 troups of baboons. They showed up near the food tent! It was hilarious to see them walk out of the forest. My grandma said it looked like they were having a convention. They were EVERYWHERE! While we were waiting for Ethan to finish the race, Isaac wanted to go play with the "kikis." He had no fear and started running toward them. Kelly was almost to a panic state. I got a bit scared too. They just lurked around the bananas and apples. It was great fun. Unfortunately, those pictures are still in Africa, so until they make it to my computer, you will just have to use your imagination.

Stay Tuned...

For the sake of continuity and chronology, you will have to wait to see the rest. Sorry for the OCD tendencies, it's just who I am!

We had lots of lunch dates. David would come over, Austin would go there.  

Shouldn't he be in one of those "got milk" campaigns? 

Because of previous experiences (a roadside emergency in 2001), I always got first dibs on front seat. It was awesome. 

Ethan getting a buzz. 

My dad and the boys went with Chris for a flight. They were doing a photo shoot of the DC3 and maybe the Caravan. I wish I could share those pictures. They are incredible. 

David and another weapon. I think I may have already posted this one. Oh well. It is still cute. 

All three of the boys know how to make this face...compliments of me. 

My "muscle men" 

The road we took to get to Amboseli. 

Grandma even made me a birthday cake, Nairobi style. 

A pit stop at a gas station. 

More giraffes in the distance. 

Davis, our driver. 

It's true what the say. White girls CAN'T jump. This is part of their culture. They jump all the time and sing little chants at the same time. 

I got to dance with the Massai men. He gave me his necklace AND his cloak deal. I think that means I was pretty important. Just kidding, I really don't know. 

A bar shot in honor of my 21st. Don't worry, I didn't drink...it was all staged so we could send it to my brother. 

Rachel our waitress while at the lodge 

They sang to me for my birthday and gave me a bouquet of roses. 

The guy with the slingshot. His responsibilities included shooting at the monkeys when they got too aggressive. 

My family at observation hill. We saw 5 hippos from the top, but the pictures are really blurry. 

Sorry, there were elephants everywhere. 

I can't remember which bird this is, but isn't it cool looking? 

A family of elephants after taking a dip in the water hole. The walk miles everyday from the foot hills of Mt. Kilimanjaro to a water hole and then walk back to sleep in the mountains. 

Ahhh...probably the best birthday present. I was sick all day on my birthday and forced myself to go on our last game drive and look what I got to see! Isn't she gorgeous? She was really fun to watch, too.