PE craziness today.

Braddah pops need to come to the mainland

Yes that's a volcano behind me...

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LoVE them

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boys will be boys

fridays are rough. school is exhausting for me and my brothers.. we let off some steam<3

i like lists.

lots has been happening on the big island. I have had a lot of opportunities to see Hawaii's beauty. I will continue to post pictures as I take them (0:

Here is a list of things I have experienced in one week:

First snorkeling AHHH! (finding nemo was spot on with ocean life) well done Pixar, well done.
noticing my word choice changing. yikes i kind of like it.
Akaka falls (awesome waterfall so beautiful)
Hilo bay (I live at the beach, it is still kind of new)
Being welcomed to a teaching staff with a round of applause ( im not going to lie, i almost cried)
Recognizing people when I am out in the town
A Swap meet/market place
LOTS of Pidgin (the language on the island)
A good nights rest! Praise the Lord
The LARGEST SNAIL I have ever seen
struggling with keeping in contact (sorry mom and loved ones!)
craving Spam Musabi (aye! haha)
hugging students goodbye at the end of the day (that's a no no in public school!)
power outages (lots!)
some of the most beautiful weather i have ever witnessed
Trick or treating in 90 degree weather!
Cockroaches
king spiders
spending wednesday nights with a young peoples group from church (LOVE THEM)
Contagious laughter (0:
There is so much more that I am forgetting and I promise ill have better post at a later date.

I am for sure loving it and everything about Hawaii! Sorry Mom, but I am still not missing home. But love you guys all more than ever, thank you for supporting me and loving me.

BIG ISLAND LOVE
-kaylee elizabeth.

Jaeda And cousins swim meet!

A day at the beach

Sea weed in the daily menu

Coming attractions.

Well good news, I am making friends haha. With friends comes a lot of plans and fun things to do.
One thing I love about Hawaii is-- there is always something to do.. something that is fun to do none the less.
Tomorrow Sam (one of the teachers at school.. she is from connecticut.) and I are going to Hula. it should be interesting.
Wednesday two students spend the night at my house and it is life group at Sam's house with people from Elevate.
Thursday My co-op it taking me to the Volcano! it is about 20 minutes down the road. I am so pumped to be up close and personal with a volcano. I can check that off my bucket list! I am sure ill have pictures.
and then who knows what the weekend will bring.

Another coming attraction is OAHU! I am going to another Island to spend thanksgiving with some family that lives in Hawaii. I am really excited. Each island is so much different... The big island is industry which is where I am living and the OAHU(where i am going)-- tourism and shopping. It should be a nice visit (0:

acclimate: –verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -mat·ed, -mat·ing. to accustom or become accustomed to a new climate or environment

Wow! its again monday already! Today was a great day at school, i am acclimated for sure. I love what I am doing but most importantly, the people I am working alongside. Just a really quick recap of what I have been up to. Last week we went on a field trip to UH of Hilo to see a man play a harp and tell stories. The WHOLE school went! It was really fun. I also got to experience getting caught in a Hawaiian rain storm with all of my students and no where to go but under a tarp that my co-op brought. Hey we are making memories. This is a picture of some of the kids at the theater.

This weekend I went to a Church called Elevate(http://www.elevatemovement.com/) it was so great, there are lots of young people to connect with. They have some really great things happening there (and if you know me at all youll understand this next statement) the airport is right next door so the planes literally fly directly over head. You feel like you could reach out and touch them! I could most certainly be there all day to watch Hawaiian airlines take off and land. (0:

Yesterday i went to the sound of Music with the principal of the school i am working at. That was REALLY fun. It was at the palace Theater in town. Afterward.. we went to rainbow falls. Just another beautiful asset of Hawaii. I have never seen so many rainbows in my life. Almost everyday, i wake up to a rainbow. What a beautiful signal of God's promise.

KUMU

Here's a little story for you... In Hawaii, they do in fact speak Hawaiian. However most people speak a mix of both Hawaiian and English (or Pidgin) I have been catching on a lot this past week because of living with two little boys and being immersed all day long at school. Many kids call me Auntie at school but today I was called Kumu. I had no clue what I was being called and after working at Beaver Falls high school I wanted to know immediately what i was being referred to as.
Kumu is the hawaiian word for teacher. It was a really great moment for me to be recognized as not only an adult or teacher but I am 11 students' Kumu and i could not be more happy. Then i came home today to find out that all of my Praxis scores are FINALLY in and recorded with passing scores may i add. I am now officially a Kumu.

update. Hawaiian life isn't too bad.

so im absolutely loving Hawaii. My family is great, my teacher is amazing, the school is AWESOME, and my students...i already love them. I have been here a whole week! It feels like so much longer I am completely acclimated to the time (i think) and the culture is something that I could definitely live with.
One thing that they eat a lot here ...that i could live without, is Spam musubi. its not terrible and I do eat it but it will never be a favorite i can promise that ha. the black on the outside is seaweed, the inside is rice and yes.... spam.


I have pictures to put up but the beauty of Hawaii can not be captured with even film. It is the most beautiful place on earth for sure. Here is one picture that Katharina, the german foreign exchange student took. I am really enjoying getting to know her she reminds me a lot of Luisa and makes me miss her even more.

Aloha!

Wellll im here, jet lag and all! I was welcomed by my host father, the principal of my school, and another teacher last night at about 2 Am. I received my first real flower lei! the family i am staying with is great! They are housing a lot of different people right now. I am living with two foreign exchange students.. one from japan and one from Germany. They are both in High school. Then they just got two brothers from foster care the are 6 and 7. The one has a birthday tomorrow... we will be celebrating at the beach! So needless to say i have a very generous and loving family but also VERY busy. They are encouraging in the way they love and reach out to everyone. The beauty of Hawaii cannot even be captured on film.. Where i live.. they grow all their own fruits and veggies. Everything is so new to me. There isnt a huge language barrier yet, but my two little brothers will be teaching me pidgin pretty quickly from what i understand. (0:
I am sorry that this is so random but i am very tired and this post is definitely a picture of the scattered feelings right now!

Pictures soon i promise!

TWO

i dont want to talk about it. I have talked about Hawaii enough. I am enjoying now. "all i have is all of me and thats all that i can give." i want this to be my motto, im going to make an effort to be present where ever i may be.

3 dayyys

the goodbyes have started. its a bummer but at the same time so exciting. I am packed and ready for this challenge. Its funny one of my favorite places to be is in an airport. I love watching people coming and going just guessing where they are headed. I hope i have some great airport stories to share soon!
This is roughly my flight itinerary so you can follow along with me on Thursday:

depart from pittsburgh: 11:15am (four hour flight)
arrive in Phoenix, AZ: 12:44 pm two hour time difference (2:44pm in PA)
Depart from AZ: 1:55pm (4:55pm in PA)
arrive in Honolulu: 5:28pm six hour time difference (11:28pm in PA)
Depart from Honolulu: 7:03pm (1:03AM in PA)
Arrive in HILO: 7:54pm (1:54AM in PA)


Ahh looking at it like that makes me tired.. please shoot my texts and such throughout the day, it will be a long one!
But this is what i have to look forward to when at my final touch down...

"Hawaii, that is such a Kaylee thing to do"

Welll im back.. summer was crazy busy and my first placement of student teaching was amazing! I miss Watson lots but i am home preparing for my time in Hawaii. This time next week, i will be en route to Hilo, HI. This is crazy but as a friend just recently said... "It is such a Kaylee thing to do." (0: If this kind of life is predictable, I dont mind being predictable at all. I am going to try to keep everyone updated on here while im away. Ill be there until the middle of December. See you all soon.

A thought.

"Women were made from a man's rib, not from his head to be superior, not from his feet to be walked on, but from his side to be an equal, from under his arm to be protected and next to his heart to be loved"

I love this quote... after working as "the first female stock person" I have a new respect for men. Not all men, but gentlemen. The work I am doing is hard. and I would like to quit everyday because it is too hard. So many times we hear that a men and women are equal and they can do the same things equally. Not true. I am fine being under his arm and being protected. (0: I know where I belong and I like it there. For now though- I will be a stock girl and try my very best at carrying things that are way too heavy for me and pretending im okay. God bless my husband (a man i have yet to meet) he will be much respected after this summer.

ohh they got me a pink box cutter at the pool store.... I'm not sure why but they did. To feel more feminine? Who knows? Everyday i come home to shower and want to wear a dress because I hate feeling like a boy at work.
really im not miserable it just makes me think about why men and women are different-- and what a great thing that really is!

Google Map your heart

Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it. What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God – the gateway to heaven!” (Gen. 28:16-18)

I got this idea from Brad Ruggles' blog...
Find the location on Google Maps where your heart has felt closest to God. Then paste the link (instructions) from the top right corner in a comment below and tell why.

Many of you could have guessed where my heart is...

Boy Meets World

Cory: "Mom, Listen, I haven't been together with Topanga for twenty-two years, but we *have* been together for sixteen. 'Kay, that's a lot longer than most couples have been together. I mean, when we were born, you told me that we used to take walks in our strollers together in the park. When we were two, we were best friends, I mean, I, I knew everything about this girl. I knew her favorite color. I knew her favorite food. Then we became six, you know, and Eric made fun of me because it wasn't cool to have a best friend that was a girl or even know a girl, so for the next seven years I threw dirt at her. I like to call those "the lost years". Then when I was thirteen, Mom, she put me up against my locker and she kissed me. I mean, she gave me my first kiss. She taught me how to dance. She was always talking about these crazy things and I never understood a word she said. All I understood was that she was the girl I sat up every night thinking about, and when I'm with her I feel happy to be alive. Like I can do anything. Even talk to you like this. So that's, that's what I feel is love, Mom... When I'm better because she's here"



Ohhh im in the mood for Boy Meets World. Thats all. No heart felt, deep thoughts today. Just in need of some Cory ,Topanga, Sean, and Eric.

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers. ~Charle

Summer reading

There is just something about books that intrigue me. I love the smell of a new book or even a library where all of the books have been read. There is just something about a book that excites my soul. I love stories. I love when people tell me stories, overhearing stories, and of course reading them. I remember sitting for hours on end listing to my Gram tell me stories from her childhood. I know the stories by heart, I could recite them but there is just something about hearing it from someone else. When I was teaching Kindergarten this year, I remember that my co-op always listened to the kids stories in the morning at circle time and finished the time up with reading a story. I love to read and want to pass that on to everyone. I think reading is one of my favorite things about summer. I create a list of books. Some are ones I never read and others are old favorites. I love having time to read other people's stories. Their stories impact me forever and remain a constant friend. One of my main goals is never lose the love of learning. Being a reader guarantees this. (0:
My list is in order of a book I wanted to read for spiritual growth/pleasure followed by a children's book to get acquainted with my classroom library that has been growing like wild fire.

1. Traveling Light -Max Lucado
2. The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S Lewis
3. Ruthless Trust - Brennan Manning
4. Edward Tulane -Kate Dicamillo
5. Passion and Purity - Elisabeth Elliot
6. Stuart Little - E.B White
7. Lineage of Grace - Francine Rivers
8. A Corner of the Universe -Ann Martin
9. In the Name of Jesus - Henri Nouwen
10. Harold and the Purple Crayon - Crockett Johnson

I'll most likely need more but ill add later if neccesary.

hello summer.

So the first day back in altoona- calls for my summer list:
1. Finish reading the Old Testament
2. Catch up with an old friend
3. Get involved
4. Serve the community of Altoona
5. Be intentional
6. Spend lots of time with the Foust family. (Anna!)
7. Play in the rain
8. Watch Elvis movies with Gram
8. Be still
9. Wait on God
10. Practice my spanish
11. Add to my teacher library
12. Make a blanket with my mom
13. Laugh more than I cry
14. Make a new friend
15. Run Run Run
16. Be a blessing
17. Support a Cause
18. Finish my summer reading list
19. Be outside more than I am inside
20. Find contentment
21. Have ruthless trust in God
22. Ask hard questions
23. Step out of my comfort zone
24. Write Write Write
25. Memorize all of the United States Presidents in order!

I'm sure that there is more, but thats what i have been thinking about lately. (0: I'll keep you posted!

Last week together

This is crazy but these are the girls I came into Geneva with. We have remained friends the whole way through the four years. We lived on the freshman floor Clarke 3 we had a bond like no other and will stay friends forever. Four years later it is crazy to see us graduating together.

Note the shirts WE ARE ALUM! Again, all of the girls are from my freshman floor. I love each and everyone on of them!


Krista<3 she was my room mate freshman and Sophomore year. We will always be room mates. She inspires me. love you.

--Caleb, is a friend that went to Mexico this year, he is great! we were talking about what I was feeling about leaving Geneva and the people I have come to love one night. The next morning I woke up to this poem. I didn't want to take credit for it. It is definatly Caleb's work and my feelings. Thanks Caleb!

why am i forced to leave everytime i find love?
whether location or person its taken from above

my father gives great gifts but often takes them away
to insure my faith in Him is always being displayed

i understand the reason for the taking of these gifts
but as they are passing I take some time and reminisce

its the little things that we will most fondly remember
like the girl from Haiti selling Hot coco in December

the comfort of knowing that home was people not just a place
and when my heart was broken youd wipe the tears from my face

the security of everyone being briefly in the same boat
diferent messages or stories but still in the same note

I realize some will stay and others will leave
best friends will lose touch its hard to believe

but i will not dwell on the difficulties of tomorrow
for that is pain for another day that i will not borrow

instead ill say a prayer for those whom are struggling
with the difficult life decisions that their now juggling

and ill thank Him for the strength that helped get us through
but above all else my dear friends i will thank him for you
Caleb Foust

Mexico Blog excerpt

March 11, 2010
Last Day in Mexico

...When we arrived back at Oasis we packed the van and the ladies were preparing lunch for all of us. Paola gave me a pack of tortillas to take home. I just feel like home when I am here. I watched the time closely so I would be able to spend as much time with Mario and Fernando the second they got home from school. I hate that, I had to leave them. I am always scared of people leaving me. It is probably one of my greatest fears in life, and I have to leave the people that mean the most to me. The people that I would never leave if I had a choice. Life is such a crazy thing. Anyway, Justin started getting a rash and needed some ointment out of my bag. We walked down the boys hallway from the living room past all of their bedrooms. At the end of the long hallway, the van was parked right outside of the door. With my back toward the main gate at oasis getting my bag. I heard "Andii!!" from the road. He came home early!! Mario drenched in sweat hugged me and was talking so fast-- translated, "We got out of school early so i asked my teacher to give me a ride. She drove me half way home and I ran the rest. I was afraid you would leave before I got out of school!" Aye! The school is a far distance away even half way is a long way to run. We got an extra bit of time before I had to leave him. I sat sat with him while he ate lunch while he kept asking me "Como estas?" I answered "mal". each time. I hate this part. When eh was finished eating, he motioned to go outside with him. Everyone was outside playing and saying their goodbyes. I loved it so much I was just starting to understand Mario's crazy fast spanish and now I have to leave. Please let me go back Lord. I feel most complete there, I am sooo out of my comfort zone but I love it. I need spanish, i know that you are going to show me the way to learn and be with the boys that I love so much. I'll never forget what You have done to my heart through the people in San Luis.




In case you didn't know,
My prayers have been answered. Following graduation in December 2010 I will be serving as an intern at Oasis boys home in San Luis. I could not be more blessed with this opportunity. It will be a growing and stretching experience but exactly where I am supposed to be.

Goodbye means forever, so I say until we meet again.

This week has been fantastic and horrible at the same time. We had our lasts together. I am a firm believer that its not over. Life long friends have been made and we will be friends forever. I am being realistic I know that we will be friends forever.

Dear Kaylee dont ever forget the past four years of your life-
Don’t forget c3.
Don’t forget arms 114.
Don’t forget Richardson House.
Don’t forget 119 boyd.
Don’t forget the forever friendships.
Don’t forget student activities and your passion for event planning.
Don’t forget the people who mentored you.
Don’t forget what it means to be on fire for God.
Don’t forget laughing until it hurt in in the activities office with some of the most incredible people you will ever meet.
Don’t forget the advice that was offered out of love.
Don’t forget what it feels like to be loved and love.
Don’t forget the feeling you get the first time that you signed up to go to Mexico.
Don’t forget late night conversations about everything in the book.
Don’t forget the room mates that were always there when you needed to laugh, cry, talk, smile, scream, or be put in place.
Don’t forget Catalyst conference and what it truly means to lead like Jesus.
Don’t forget maddog.
Don’t forget being baptized.
Don’t forget that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know that you are being called to do something you dont want to do.
Don’t forget sitting outside of skye to pass time.
Don’t forget knowing at least five people everywhere you went.
Don’t forget "God does not call the equipped, he equips the called"
Don’t forget "Whatever your 100% is, give it"
Don’t forget let people love you.
Don’t forget Beaver Falls.
Don’t forget the unpredictable weather.
Don’t forget that a smile can change someones whole day.
Don’t forget Te Veo.
Don’t forget the professors and how much they care.
Don’t forget your love for learning.
Don’t forget to ask Jesus to spend the day with you.
Don’t forget that "a woman's heart should be so wrapped up in Christ that a man should first have to seek him to find her"
Don’t forget Kairette.
Don’t forget Chapel and worshipping as a whole student and staff population.
Don’t forget the fruits of the spirit.
Don’t forget to wait on Christ.
Don’t forget Justice weeks.
Don’t forget Half past nines.
Don’t forget MGN. even better audition nights lasting till 3AM
Don’t forget hating vingball.
Don’t forget one-on-ones.
Don’t forget "If not now when? If not you then who?"
Don’t forget 4:10 bridge.
Don’t forget Daraja Children's choir.
Don’t forget road trips home.
Don’t forget visits to South Fayette.
Don’t forget visits to Chicago.
Don’t forget visits to Connecticut.
Don’t forget what community means.
Don’t forget 1PETER 4:10.
Don’t forget forgiveness.
Don’t forget the testimonies.
Don’t forget the life stories.
Don’t forget the opportunities that Geneva has given you.
Don’t forget the brig/alex's.
Don’t forget family dinners.
Don’t forget beyond the bend.
Don’t forget that God is Love.
Don’t forget the power of prayer.
Don’t forget Isaiah 6:8. Send me Lord, I'll go.
Don’t forget being out of your comfort zone is when you grow the most.
Don’t forget Germany.
Don’t forget Geneva College in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania.
Don’t forget that you are changed and set apart in Christ alone.

A lot of ... Lasts

Geneva College, a place where I found who I was alongside some of the most beautiful people in the whole world. A place where the community comes together when there is hurt to support each other. A place that comes together to celebrate and worship the Lord. I have learned to live differently. Geneva is such a unique place and it has changed me forever. I cant believe that this chapter in my life is almost over. I'm not sad but Im conflicted because it is a sad thing but only half is ending for me this time. See, I have a semester left. Although I wont be on campus for that semester, I have one more chance to associate myself with being a Geneva College student. The sad part, all of the people I came in with, are leaving. This is it for them. This week is a start of many lasts for C3. As we go through our last- undergrad classes, Chapel, on campus jobs, tests, brig meals, education lab printing sprees, tiger pauses, grilled stickies, C3 visits, and picnics outside the student center. I just want you to know that I love each one of you and I am so thankful for Geneva and here's the reason- I'm changed, I have found my mission and passion here, but most importantly I have met the most beautiful people that life has to offer in a little town called Beaver Falls. I couldn't be more thankful for you girls, I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do with your lives, and I am excited to be apart of each of them! Enjoy our lasts

I will follow you..

a song for ya (:

Leeland<3
You lived among the least of these
The weary and the weak
And it would be a tragedy for me to turn away.

All my needs you have supplied.
When i was dead you gave me life.
How could i not give it away so freely?

And i`ll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy god.
Follow you into the world.

Use my hands use my feet
To make your kingdom come
Through the corners of the earth
Until your work is done
`cause faith without works is dead
And on the cross your blood was shed
So how could i not give it away so freely?

And i`ll follow you into the homes that are broken.
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy god.
Follow you into the world.

I give all myself.
I give all myself
I give all myself.to you.

And i give all myself.
Yes i give all myself.
And i give all myself.to you.

And i`ll follow you into the homes that are broken
Follow you into the world.
Meet the needs for the poor and the needy god.
Follow you into the world.

Watch out for that signal-- when life as you know it ends.

I would have to say,, that life as I knew it has changed about twenty times in the past month or two.
Mexico has changed life as I once knew it forever and I love it. Here are some pictures of this past trip as promised.

The balcony view of Oasis where the team stays, my favorite view in the whole world

Risa, I, and our boys, Mario and Fernando at the taco stand for dinner one night. This is a really fun night, we take all the boys and staff that work at the boys home for tacos one night while we are in Mexico. They are so grateful for this opportunity. Its a great bonding time for us too. (:

RUTH.. isnt she precious? This is the first day we were in Mexico. Ruth remembered me and I scooped her up. (:


MY BOYS! I am convinced that they are my brothers and definitely meant to be in my life. Mario is in the white and Fernando is in the dark shirt. They are brothers who have been at the boys home since I started visiting Mexico. We have had a connection and continue to stay in touch. This year by far has been the hardest to be away from them, they are growing into men and maturing. I am proud to be part of their lives and know that God is going to do something great with their lives. I am learning how to support someone when all I have to offer is my love. It is always a challenge for me, especially when my love language is gifts. but the gift of love is the best gift of all.

10 states, 2 countries, in 1 month.

Woo hoo! I just finished a marathon of traveling. I am so sorry it has been another long time since I left an update but life has been a whirlwind. I love it though. This blog is going to be a brief overview of what the last month has looked like for me and then hopefully sometime this week when I have time to breath I can go in depth on more of my adventures with pictures and such. Here it goes.

On Mach 6th, I left for another amazing trip to San Luis Mexico with a beautiful team of 12 Geneva College Students. I was the leader and loved every minute of it. I have made some life long friends from that trip for sure.
We left early in the morning for Phoenix ARIZONA. We arrived on time to beautiful weather. We then drove four hours to the border of SONORA(the state that i was in) MEXICO where we grocery shopped. We crossed the border around 8pm that night. We arrived at Oasis boys home shortly after. My heart immediately was overwhelmed with joy, I was in the place where my heart feels most complete once again. In a few words the week was-- refreshing, amazing, challenging, emotional, and well it just feels like home to me. I will share many stories and pictures in a later blog. I am still having a really hard time transitioning back into the estados unidos and it is a month later.

March 11th was probably one of the very hardest days that I have experienced in a very long time. I had to leave the boys and the family that I love so much. They are a huge impact of my life. To give you a very miniscule visual of what goodbye looked like-- I was sitting in the passenger seat of a 12 passenger van with two mexican boys asking me to stay one more week. They were wearing my clothes that I left behind telling me that it smelled like the United States, they say thats a good thing. With my arms reached the whole way out the window we started to pull away. We were driving away from a family that took us in with open arms, just for us to leave them at the end of the week, They stood at the gates until we couldnt see them anymore and I could still hear them shouting "Adios!" As we drove down the sand road I started to cry because I didnt know when I was going to ever feel like I do when I am in Mexico. Not only in Mexico, but with 14 boys who have been abandoned and two families that have raised them and loved them as their own children. They are complete and they are a family. I was honored to be considered part of their beautiful family.

We waited two hours to cross back over the border of the US. We were still so close to the boys' home but too far away to see them again. I started to become broken. We stayed in a hotel in Tempe, ARIZONA for the night to debrief and prepare our selves for the real world that was going to hit us hard.

The next day, I still was crying non-stop because I was still close, I was still within driving distance to the place I love the most. Then we boarded a plan headed to Las Vegas, NEVADA. The further we got, the sadder I became. The flight was short and Risa and stuck together in the airport. We jokingly planned that if they offered for people to stay back, that we would do it together. Sure enough, they offered for two people to stay back and we agreed! We spent the night in Las Vegas for free! We prolonged the real life for two more days.

The next day, we went sight seeing and then boarded a plan to Chicago, ILLINOIS. We were there for a short stay. So we spent it laying on the floor of the airport over the night hours. We talked about Mexico and sang D.C RETO -Vida (of course)

March 15th- most of you know what day this is. My birthday!! We boarded a plane to Pittsburgh PENNSYLVANIA . I was drained and ready to sleep for 24 hours. I spent most of my birthday in bed sleeping and missing Mexico. My land lord bought me a cake and my sweet room mates came home later in the day to celebrate with some gift giving.

I took my room mates all home with me for a little birthday celebration the following weekend and then celebrated the beautiful Alexandras birthday the following weekend in the City. (O:

School was back in swing for a week then it was Easter break. I hopped back in the car and drove to Warren, CONNECTICUT to visit Diana ( my other room mate's home) We made sure to drive through NEW YORK too. We celebrated the resurrection in MASSACHUSETTS with Diana's extended family and enjoyed the beautiful weather of New England. It was a great little trip.

This past weekend, was the last big trip for me this month. I went to a overseas teaching conference in Hartford, INDIANA. It was also incredible and I learned so much. I met a lot of really cool people who inspire me to dream big and travel to change to world. Can't wait to see what is in store for me! I had to go to this conference because of my teaching placement in Hawaii in the fall. It made me so excited and prepared me in ways that I didnt even know I needed to be prepared for! ( Oh and I bet you are thinking, she doesnt know how to count that it only 9-- psst.. we drove through the WHOLE STATE of OHIO to get to INDIANA (0;

So welcome to my crazy life.. I am trying to catch my breath before I get in the mood to cram in more travel (:

Love you all.. ill put pictures up soon and some journal excerpts too! EVEN through all of this choas in this month, I managed to finish a whole journal!!

Life as I know it

A list of things that i love about my life right now:

1. The fact that I am going to Mexico with a SWEET team of people on Saturday
2. Having a dress down day at the school that I am working at on a MONDAY (does this make me a legit teacher? ...When i get excited about wearing jeans?) I hope so!!
3. I am fully caught up with school work and do not have to stress out
4. Friday, Diana and I are declaring an OC day (what a great way to start Spring Break)
4. I am now on a budget to save money ( this was brought on from a recent over draft ) but having a money plan makes me feel sophisticated and organized
5. Oh an the Bachelor final rose is on tomorrow and I get to stay up late and watch the whole thing.. wow teaching has made me pretty lame (:
6. The family shopping trip with Aly and Diana was great too (: ohh senior year.

What are things that you love about life as you know it?

NEW favorite song

Phil Wickham recently came to Geneva and this song spoke volumes to me enjoy (:

You wrote a letter and You signed your name
I read every word of it page by page
You said that You'd be coming, coming for me soon
Oh my God I'll be ready for You

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can't wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

I hear Your voice and I catch my breath
'Well done my child, enter in and rest'
Tears of joy roll down my cheek
It's beautiful beyond my wildest dreams

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can't wait to join the angels and sing...

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can't wait to join the angels and sing
No, I cant wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

wow! its been a long time

woahh! I am sorry that i am awful at this blog thing but i wanted to visit and update on my life because there are ALOT of things going on (:

1. My time at Geneva is coming to an end and i am trying to figure out what is next. A few things that I know are as follows: I will live somewhere with no snow or ice. Another, I will be teaching somewhere. Last semester I was teaching in a Kindergarten classroom and never thought that i would love it as much as i did. I learned so much and can see myself as a kindergarten teacher. BUT, this semester I am in a high school learning support classroom and loving it just as much. I am learning that kids dont change as much as i thought they did. They still want to be loved and need that time to be heard. The content is a little more difficult to teach but the students melt my heart just as much. I am currently reading a novel with them titled Tears of a Tiger... i suggest it for a high school level book. The boys really like it and it relates to them on many levels.

2. I AM GOING TO HAWAII!!!! I found out last week that I will finishing my bachelors degree placed in a christian school in Hawaii. It is located in Keaau HI. I believe that it is on the east coast on the main island and could not be more excited. Here is the website, check it out--http://christianlibertyofkeaau.org/ I don't know what grade I will be teaching yet. I would like to have some experience in the upper elementary grades though. I leave in October. I want to keep up with my blog so you can hear about my experiences while im there!

3. I am not going back to camp this summer and know that i am going to have a lot of upset people from this. A LOT of my friends will be getting married this summer and I am honored to be invited to be part of this big time in their lives. I cannot give up this opportunity to celebrate with them. I have applied for a job in Maryland and hopefully with be working there this summer and staying with my great family that lives there. Ethan and Elli live there and I would love to be part of their lives a little more even if it is just for a summer.

4. This me setting a huge goal that I really havent openly shared with many people recently but one of the things on my bucket list would be to run in a marathon or even a half. I am setting this goal now and hopefully i can work my butt off and tell you about it on here sometime in the future!

5. Ohh and I am headed back to Mexico in two weeks (: I cant wait to see the kids and the older boys! I'll journal while im there and maybe when i get back i cant share a few glimpses of what my life in Mexico is like. San Luis Sonora is where at least half of my heart resides so id love to share that part of my life with you all! Here is their blog to check out what they are up to right now and then March 6-13 they will update while we are actually down there serving. I am really excited about the group that is going-- we have 5guys and 6gals going, we are bonded, prepared (what a relief) , and energetic. I cant wait to see my team grow together and go through the first time experiences that I went through this time two years ago. ohh P.S I am leading the trip for the first time. I am so pumped to have this experience.

Well other than having a pretty crazy semester here at Geneva, living with some great friends, and my big news-- I'm still Kaylee (: Thanks for being part of my life.. ill try to update soon!