January happenings

My last post was a bit wordy, so I will make this post all about the pictures!

At school:

 Melting snowmen stories made with their reading buddies! 

Thanks Happy for doing this when I was out sick! They turned out so cute!

                                     I always have this for when I am out. These are my favorite.

Just Dance Kids: Indoor recess exercise

My kids showing off their moves!

We've had to do a lot of Just Dance Kids lately because of the cold.

Thanks for the idea Kristin! Although, I will never play 'What does the fox say' ever again. So creepy!

I love teaching them about Synonym Rolls!

I don't like messing up saying cinnamon and synonym. My kids kept laughing at me.

Fun/stressful times:

I love painting, but it was slightly stressful because I am an A-type and everything must be perfect.

I need to learn to just enjoy things.

This post wouldn't be complete without food pictures! We started enrichment clusters at school and I chose to do ACM Foodies where kids can learn about different careers in food and make nutritious recipes and critic food! Joanna helped find a speaker for me, a culinary student at Le Cordon Bleu! Thanks for coming Allie!

Allie, showing one of my favorite baking tools. 

She let all the kids take turns stirring. 

And finally:

Waffles.

I'm not sure when this obsession with waffles will stop. My body is not appreciating it at all.

Snow Day!

 

Thanks to adrenaline, I am wide awake. It's Friday and it's a snow day. Report cards are due soon. So the logical thing to do would be to grade my mountains of papers. But I blog instead.

My goal this year was to really become who I am by being open to new things and it has been tough. Because as you get older, you are so set in your ways. Change? Why change? It's scary. Unpredictable. 

I'm the worst when it comes to it. And yet that same stubbornness that keeps me from changing is nudging me toward the goal I had set out for myself this year. I can't give up. 

Personally I feel like I've been so negative and down. And that's when I try to think about what I should be grateful for. So here I go:

My parents: I am the most blessed when it comes to parents. No matter what, I know they are here for me. They worry, nag, and bother me with ridiculous requests. They still buy me water so I don't die. 

Like most Korean children with the stereotypical parents, I used to wish they would express their love more. But they show it in a different way. They would give up everything for me, if it was to better me. They've already sacrificed so much. That's love.

My faith: Who am I, that God calls me his own? It's not deserved, and I forget all the time how much God loves me. Sometimes it's a hard road to walk, but I know the reward will be that much greater. 

My health: Being sick stinks. But it does put things in perspective and let's you appreciate your health. And getting older makes you think about it even more. I get random aches all the time now. I think I sprained my thumb from too much texting... Or candy crush. 

My migraines are more frequent and I missed 2 days of school from the flu this year, which never happened before. So waking up without something hurting is definitely a blessing.

My friends: The family you choose. Or perhaps not. Sometimes it makes me sad when I think about the friends I had when I was little who are no longer my friends. 

So that makes me that much more grateful for the ones I have. They accept my crazy, nonsensical thoughts. They bring me soup when I'm sick and pray for me. They worry and nag like my parents. And encourage me and just make life better. 

My job/my kids: As much as I complain about work, I am thankful to be a teacher. As under appreciated as we are by some, I know my job isn't just a job, but a catalyst. If I can affect even one child, I know they in turn will affect others. That's why I keep going. After all the pressure and responsibility of getting students to where they need to be. From parent emails to meetings, behavior issues and yes, those dreading papers to grade. I accept it because, well, I have to. But I teach because I am meant to. It brings me joy to see them learning something and enjoying it (and not falling asleep).

My friends at work keep me sane (sometimes..or else their crazy rubs off on me) and accept my shortcomings. I work with the best of the best , which I want to be.

And my kids. Oh, those children. Sometimes they make me want to scream and pull my hair out. They bother me, cough on me, and I think one even spit on me (an accident, I hope). 

They've fallen asleep during my "boring" lessons and expect me to clean their messes (but like I've taught my kids, I am NOT their maid!).  They still complain sometimes. I can repeat the same directions 10 times or answer a question and they raise their hand and ask the SAME question.

But they're kids. I really do forget that because I treat them like little adults sometimes. I am so hard on them, and yet they still love me. I yell and they hug me at the end of the day. They make me laugh and say ridiculous, funny things that give me material for Facebook posts. Even as I write this in the warm comfort of my apartment and liking the fact that I don't have to wear real clothes and just a shirt and striped leggings, I miss them. Who hates hearing they're the best? And it's fun to communicate by just looking at them. Sometimes they will surprise you by what they know and have learned or what they accomplish in one day.
Sometimes they actually learn what I try to teach them.

One day I made a mistake on the board, and one of my students said, "Are you making a lot of mistakes today?" (Apparently it wasn't my first mistake that day). I was about to say my usual,  "Teachers make mistakes, too." But then he said, "It's okay. Teachers can mess up too."

And I hope beyond academics I am teaching them how to be a good person. To make mistakes and learn from them, but also accept that we will mess up sometimes. I want them to know, they can try again.

There are countless other things I am grateful for that I cannot all type out.
Now I'm going to enjoy this unexpected day off!

Eunoia

Last night as I lay in bed, I was half dreading half naively hopeful for today. Because I knew it would be a long day of teaching, parent conferences, tutoring, making lesson plans, and cleaning my paper clad desk (which I haven't done by the way).

But it turned out to be a really good day. Teaching wise, the kids were engaged and I was showered with gifts today, including a random act of kindness from a parent I didn't even know!
How funny it is that when I need encouragement the most, God sends it.

So even as I left school at 7:11 today getting ready for a conference tomorrow, writing lessons, and setting up all my science materials for tomorrow, I was actually happy. I am so thankful that God allowed me to see the little things today and count those as blessings. Because I rarely do that, especially when I am on high stress mode.

That's my eunoia for today. :)

2014 - A fresh start

I am writing this (or rather typing) at the first minute of the new year. In my pjs. No hardy partying for this girl. I feel so old.

So about this time, I usually come up with 5 resolutions for the year. Some are easier to keep than others.
I know some people don't like to make them, because there is no follow through most of the time. I think you need a plan of action to go with your resolutions, or it just won't work.

I have so many things I want to improve on. Exercise more, spend less, volunteer my time, read more, grade those dreaded stacks of papers! But I'm afraid I won't follow through.

So this year I won't make a list of resolutions. Instead, I want to focus on how I do things. How I will live this year. I saw a challenge on Instagram where you come up with one little word (#olw) that will define the year. There were so many to choose from: engage, simplify, love, give, create.
After some thought, I chose:

Become. A verb that means, "begin to be." Grow to be or turn into.
Synonyms: grow, come to be, change into, be transformed into, [be] more

I was listening to a sermon a while back from Alistair Begg (great pastor by the way) and it was about our standing with God. Something he said really caught my attention. He said, "Become what you are."
Not who people want you to be, or who you think you should be, but who you were created to be.

He said:

"It's not impossible to mess up, it's just incongruous. Tomorrow's a new day, a fresh start. 

Life is a journey with a series of new beginnings." 

So this is my fresh start. I want to strive every day. Even if one day I yell in my road rage at a terrible driver. Or spend the afternoon napping instead of grading. Or eating yet another handful of salt & vinegar chips. I don't want to give up when I mess up. I hope to take more opportunities this year and enjoy the little things.

I am excited about 2014. :)

Waiting place

I am blogging from a local car dealership waiting for my car alignment.

I hate waiting. It seems so pointless. It's one thing if you know there's a certainty it's going to happen. What if you're not sure? What if you wait and wait and it never happens? What then?

There are a lot of potential by-products of waiting. It builds patience. Perseverance. If you're waiting for something good, the reward is that much more joyous. If you're waiting for the not so good, it provides relief, albeit bad. Closure.

2013 was a waiting year for me, so it was frustrating to say the least.  But maybe I've gotten some benefits from all this waiting. Patience. The strength to keep moving and preparation for what I hope for.

So if you are in that waiting place, like Dr. Seuss says, "Somehow you'll escape, all that waiting and staying." 

And: And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

That's my food for thought today. :)

—————


I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Every year I am more and more thankful to spend time with my family. My favorite part was watching everyone open their presents.

I got so many ornaments this year, I'm going to have to buy a mini Christmas tree for my apt!
What's a good/cheap place?

Oh, I forgot to announce the winner of the blog wishes giveaway! The winner was Arriana C.!
Congratulations! :) Your gift is waiting for you.

So I have to list my favorite gift from Christmas, which is very difficult.
My favorite homemade gift was from a former strudent's mom: her special made cookies/chocolates. They are hands down, the best. My favorite bought gift is from my mom, a grey/white polka dot bath robe from, you guessed it, anthropologie! Of course, every anthro gift (all ten!) were my fav!

Anyway, I'll be thinking about my New Year Resolutions and post those soon.
Thank goodness for this break. :)

Blog Wishes 2013

What a perfect day! It's Friday and I am in my pjs, looking out at snow topped roofs and nearly silent roads.

Texas rarely gets snow days and this really puts me in the mood for Christmas.
Last year I started my blog wishes giveaway. I've always loved Christmas because it's a time where I can slow down and really think about the year. It's family time and catching up with friends time.

These past few months have been a little crazy. Okay, stressful. I feel like I've been going nonstop and this unexpected day off is forcing me to stop, look up, and see where I am. In some ways, I don't like it. But now I know what I need to do and what my goals are. So thank you God, for this break!

My blog giveaway starts this Saturday and ends December 18th at midnight. For every entry I receive, I will double that number and donate the dollar amount, half to the charity of the winner's choice, and half to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

Okay, so about the giveaway! Here are the rules:

1. You need to enter through Rafflecopter below. You can receive up to 7 entries for the giveaway.

• 1 entry for commenting on this post with your name, link to your item, email, and blog site (this is mandatory).
• 1 entry for blogging about my giveaway. Please email me at madebyfirenze@gmail.com with your blog      entry about my blog giveaway including a link to my blog.
• 1 entry for liking  my blog page on Facebook (MadeByFirenze)
• 2 entries if you follow me on GFC! If you already do, I will make sure you get 2 entries. :)
• 1 entry for Tweeting about the giveaway. I wanted to do Pinterest, but that wasn't available for me. If you  don't have Twitter, you can follow me on pinterest (minjoo) and pin my blog giveaway photo above and receive 1 entry.
• 1 entry for following me on Instagram. Either like or share my blog wishes photo on Instagram for 1 entry.

I am raising the stakes this year! Your Christmas wish can be up to $100!!!

Now for your item:

• Choose one item on your Christmas list you would like. It cannot be a gift card, or 2 items. Only one.
• The item must be less than $100. No exceptions. Any items over $100 will be disregarded.
• It must also be something that can easily be bought online. No rare items or ebay items.
• It should be from legitimate sites like amazon, Anthropologie, J.Crew, or Target etc. If I have any concerns with your item, I will let you know.
• If your item requires a size or color, please specify in your comment.
• If item is sold out, another Christmas item of your choice (<$100) can be chosen.

Please follow the Rafflecopter entry rules. Any false entries will be taken out.
I will contact the winner through email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends.
Good luck and have fun choosing your item!

Here are a few of my Christmas picks this year:

1. J.Crew - Crystal Rosette Bracelet $115.00

2. ASOS - Midi Skirt in Plaid Check $65

3. Rifle Paper Co. - Citrus Floral Tin Recipe Box $34

4. Anthropologie - Eustella Ombre Infinity Scarf $38

5. BoonLook - Honeybadger Eyeglasses $99

I couldn't resist buying number 3 already. It just reminded me of the 90's. I love it!

Anyway, I can't wait to see your picks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Coming soon: Blog Wishes pt. 2

I know it has been a while since I've written. It has been very hectic at work and I can't seem to find the time to blog. That being said, I want to try to make more of an effort to blog more; especially since Christmas is around the corner (my favorite time of year).

Last Christmas I started something called blog wishes. It was my first blog giveaway and I loved doing it. I want to try to do this every Christmas so that it becomes a tradition. :-)

Please check back and I will post about the giveaway soon after Thanksgiving. In the meantime, what would you like for Christmas this year?