Summer at dusk

cotton candy clouds
with dashes of lavender
orange zest and golden rod
the sun beams as it makes
its final debut for the day

the sky lightly darkens
and I can't decide
if the light is easy
on my eyes
or if I'm squinting
because of it

a cool breeze
tickles my face
placing my hair
behind my ears
I am relieved the tradewinds
have returned

our walk ensues
summer at dusk
unwinding as you
gently nudge her stroller
while I cool down my pace
"slow down," you say
so I take a deep breath
slowing exhaling
a reminder to take it
all in

what did I do
in my past life
to deserve such
beauty
summer at dusk.

Summer + Dads

I am disappointed in myself that my last post was on June 5, but I guess it shows how much fun I have been having so far this summer. It has been a busy couple of weeks with friends in town, family get-togethers, sleeping in, lots of beach time, staycations and more! It has been an amazing summer so far and the rest of it looks even brighter.

Although it is summer, I think I need to set some goals for the remainder of break.

1. Read at least five more books... hurry up and finish Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why

2. Post pics from my "work-vacation" on blog

3. Brainstorm some new writing lessons for the upcoming school year

4. Exercise

5. Clean the bathrooms!

Yes, this is quite a general list of goals. No solid deadlines. No pressure. Relax. It's summer.

:)

AND... HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all who care for children... 

you are priceless.

My husband and daughter playing Konane, an ancient Hawaiian game similar to Checkers.

A Working Vacation

I am currently participating in a "tri-campus planning session" this week. It actually began yesterday and will conclude tomorrow. The new school that I will be teaching at has a campus on three different islands; Oahu, Big Island, and Maui. The school has brought together all of the English teachers from the three campuses to collaborate and work on developing writing rubrics that will be consistent across the board. Besides working, we will also be partaking in cultural practices and enjoying the outdoors.
It does seem as if I just finished with my school year, and I am getting right back into it again; however, I am very excited to meet my new colleagues and to collaborate with them.

My husband and daughter are here as well with a good family friend of ours, but I won't see them until Wednesday evening. It is the first time I am spending three nights without my daughter! Can we say anxiety? She's just fine, it is her mommy who is overwhelmed! I am looking forward to spending the second-half of the week with them. Things have been hectic lately, so it will be nice to give my family my undivided attention.

Okay, Slicers. Have a wonderful writing Tuesday, and I'll see y'all next week with some pics from our pseudo-vacation and ideas from the work sessions. 

It's not goodbye...

Today is my final day teaching at a wonderful school. As I venture on to new challenges at another school, this is the letter I wrote to the faculty and staff.


Hello, Maryknoll family.

Today is my final day here. It is bittersweet to have an opportunity to start a new journey, but at the same time have to leave the place that helped shape who you've become and what you believe in. That is how I have been feeling this past week. The friendships that were built throughout my six years here will always be ones that I will treasure. I thought that the students would be the number one thing I would miss, but I've come to the realization that it will be the people I worked beside and those who have mentored me -- Admin, Faculty, and Staff. Saying hello to people in the work room and in passing was always important to me because I wanted to get to know everyone. There are so many special memories! 

One memory that resonates with me is when I was pregnant with Emalia and the outpouring of support and generosity throughout that time period, as well as the amazing baby shower that we had! That is my favorite part about being at this school; the love and sense of community that exists. I will take those values along with me and make sure that people know I am from Maryknoll. 

I have been given endless opportunities during my time here, and I hope that you will keep in touch with me. I'll send pictures of Emalia growing up, and hopefully in her school uniform...although now I will be paying tuition! :) My family and I thank you for everything, and I wish each and every one of you the best as we all continue on our own personal journeys. 

It certainly is not goodbye...just a "see you soon!"

Me ke aloha,

Mandy

Born to Learn

 "Adolescence is not a problem; it's an opportunity."


Take some time for Born to Learn

Rethinking yesterday's post

After finding out some disheartening news this morning, I realized that my recent ramblings about the amount of work I have to complete before the culmination of the school year is just plain selfish. I was told this morning that my former student, who is now in 11th grade, has been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma cancer. His sister is currently in my class, and we spent some time talking about the situation. She said that she feels like the whole world is on her shoulders. This is a big statement coming from her because she is a student who radiates confidence, but on the inside is very reflective. Things have literally changed overnight for her, her brother, and their mother. She explained to me that her brother is scared regarding his upcoming radiation and chemotherapy treatment. I stood there and listened intently as my heart and eyes teared up. I understand some of the emotions and confusion that this young girl is feeling; my mother is currently receiving chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. However, I am at a loss for understanding how my former student feels as he is about to take on the biggest challenge of his life, or how his thirteen year old sister feels as her mind seems to wander off into the frightening abyss of the unknown. Unable to grasp their mother's feelings, I can only empathize with her; a single-parent who just last week was concerned with motivating her kids to complete their homework has now shifted her focus on the health of her son and being able to give the right attention to her daughter at the same time.

Today was another reminder for me that my small struggles are exactly that. Small. Get it done, quit brooding, and spend time on things that truly matter. Make today your best day.

Missing: Motivation

If I could buy some motivation, I'd be willing to pay a pretty hefty price. It is amazing, in a not-so-amazing way, how unmotivated I've been feeling over the past couple of weeks. My motivation tank is on "E" and there aren't any refueling stations to be found! Seriously.

We have two more weeks of school left before summer break officially starts, yet I still have so much to do. Having loads of work to accomplish isn't so good if you've misplaced your motivation. My desk looks like a hurricane blew through and FEMA is still nowhere to be found. I still have student papers to read, provide feedback, and grade before the quarter wraps up next week. My students' attention spans are shorter than my one-year old daughter's, so my patience meter has just about reached negative numbers; however, I must keep my cool and send my students off gleaming with positivity!

With summer quickly approaching, one would assume that a teacher's amount of work would subside, but that is a myth. I'll be heading to a different school in August, so my brain and heart are in conflict with one another. My brain says to start focusing on my next adventure, which means that I should be looking at curriculum maps, syllabi, and lessons I need to rework in order to make a smooth transition into my new team. My heart wants to hold on to the current school year my current students because I am already beginning to miss them terribly. I wish my brain and heart would desire the same thing, so they could work in collaboration with my body to: 1) Finish grades and report card comments; 2) Clean, purge, and pack up all that needs to go with me; and 3) Enjoy my final two weeks with the students I love at the school that will always have a place in my heart.

So, whoever is in charge of motivation out there in our big ol' universe, could you please send some my way? Hmm... why do I always have some motivation on reserve for blogging???