I can't lie. I love this song. And in my humble opinion, this song and video is way better in its original form. I'd be friends w/ all the people in this video. jermaine dupri is okay and all, but I think he got it wrong w/ his remix....
14.8.10
8.8.10
grieving. still.
 |
| Trey |
I had just run into him a couple of weeks before...he wanted to be someone...
A few weeks later there was a terrible car accident. It claimed the life of Omar. He was just 16. I had taught him the year before as a 9th grader. His smile says it all. Gosh, I loved that smile! We would go back and forth making fun of each other's mom, having, of course, never had met each other's mother. It was around Easter. We all wore pink to the funeral because it was his favorite color (he was a cholo, so he was allowed to pick pink as his favorite color...)
I'll never forget his abuela at the funeral. I've never heard a grownup cry like that....
This summer we've been all over the place. A few weeks ago we were in Savannah. I was watching the news with my mom and saw a news report about a young man being shot and killed near the school where I used to teach. The next day I found out that it was Zychias. I taught Zychias and his brother, Zach, my very first year of teaching. They were my first set of twins. It was very clear to me from the start that Zychias was not on the right path in life. Nevertheless, we'd talk and talk about music.
His body was found around 10 pm. It had been dropped on the street for someone - anyone - to find. Police think it was drug related. The reporter from the newspaper put his name down as "Zachias." When I contacted the reporter and asked him to fix the error, he said something about getting his info from the police....code for, "I don't really give a damn, and this is what the police gave me..."
It's now weeks later. No one has been arrested. And the newspaper continues to call him "Zachias"...
I've cried a lot today. Mostly for Zychias. Did he die instantly, or slowly? Was he already dead when his body was dumped, or did he die there, alone? How could someone so smart and FULL of potential end up like this?? I confess that I wasn't shocked at all that this is where his life ended. That doesn't make it easier though. This has been harder than the others. I feel like there was no way to know that Trey, Penn, and Omar were going to die this way. But Zychias... there are SO many what ifs.....
I love all teenagers on sight. I love hard. I doubt that Zychias, Omar, Penn, or Trey knew just how much they were loved. Teaching English has always been secondary for me. I just want my kids to feel loved. Tomorrow begins my 8th school year. No matter how it goes, I just want to love on kids. I want kids to feel God's love through me.
 |
| (L to R) Penn and Chelsea |
A couple of days after my birthday this past March, news came of Penn's death. Penn had cancer. He was one of my Young Life kids from Savannah. Penn knew his Maker. That doesn't make his death any easier to deal with, but there's a lot more comfort. As you can tell from the picture, he was the goofy type. The very first night I met Penn he had me laughing.
 |
Omar |
A few weeks later there was a terrible car accident. It claimed the life of Omar. He was just 16. I had taught him the year before as a 9th grader. His smile says it all. Gosh, I loved that smile! We would go back and forth making fun of each other's mom, having, of course, never had met each other's mother. It was around Easter. We all wore pink to the funeral because it was his favorite color (he was a cholo, so he was allowed to pick pink as his favorite color...)
I'll never forget his abuela at the funeral. I've never heard a grownup cry like that....
 |
| (L to R) Zach and Zychias |
This summer we've been all over the place. A few weeks ago we were in Savannah. I was watching the news with my mom and saw a news report about a young man being shot and killed near the school where I used to teach. The next day I found out that it was Zychias. I taught Zychias and his brother, Zach, my very first year of teaching. They were my first set of twins. It was very clear to me from the start that Zychias was not on the right path in life. Nevertheless, we'd talk and talk about music.
His body was found around 10 pm. It had been dropped on the street for someone - anyone - to find. Police think it was drug related. The reporter from the newspaper put his name down as "Zachias." When I contacted the reporter and asked him to fix the error, he said something about getting his info from the police....code for, "I don't really give a damn, and this is what the police gave me..."
It's now weeks later. No one has been arrested. And the newspaper continues to call him "Zachias"...
I've cried a lot today. Mostly for Zychias. Did he die instantly, or slowly? Was he already dead when his body was dumped, or did he die there, alone? How could someone so smart and FULL of potential end up like this?? I confess that I wasn't shocked at all that this is where his life ended. That doesn't make it easier though. This has been harder than the others. I feel like there was no way to know that Trey, Penn, and Omar were going to die this way. But Zychias... there are SO many what ifs.....
I love all teenagers on sight. I love hard. I doubt that Zychias, Omar, Penn, or Trey knew just how much they were loved. Teaching English has always been secondary for me. I just want my kids to feel loved. Tomorrow begins my 8th school year. No matter how it goes, I just want to love on kids. I want kids to feel God's love through me.
1.8.10
this is for every teacher who has ever been asked...
Did I Miss Anything?
Tom Wayman
Nothing. When we realized you weren’t here
we sat with our hands folded on our desks
in silence, for the full two hours
we sat with our hands folded on our desks
in silence, for the full two hours
Everything. I gave an exam worth
40 percent of the grade for this term
and assigned some reading due today
on which I’m about to hand out a quiz
worth 50 percent
40 percent of the grade for this term
and assigned some reading due today
on which I’m about to hand out a quiz
worth 50 percent
Nothing. None of the content of this course
has value or meaning
Take as many days off as you like:
any activities we undertake as a class
I assure you will not matter either to you or me
and are without purpose
has value or meaning
Take as many days off as you like:
any activities we undertake as a class
I assure you will not matter either to you or me
and are without purpose
Everything. A few minutes after we began last time
a shaft of light suddenly descended and an angel
or other heavenly being appeared
and revealed to us what each woman or man must do
to attain divine wisdom in this life and
the hereafter
This is the last time the class will meet
before we disperse to bring the good news to all people
on earth.
a shaft of light suddenly descended and an angel
or other heavenly being appeared
and revealed to us what each woman or man must do
to attain divine wisdom in this life and
the hereafter
This is the last time the class will meet
before we disperse to bring the good news to all people
on earth.
Nothing. When you are not present
how could something significant occur?
how could something significant occur?
Everything. Contained in this classroom
is a microcosm of human experience
assembled for you to query and examine and ponder
This is not the only place such an opportunity has been
gathered
is a microcosm of human experience
assembled for you to query and examine and ponder
This is not the only place such an opportunity has been
gathered
but it was one place
And you weren’t here
31.7.10
BACK TO SCHOOL SALE woohoo :)
BACK TO SCHOOL SALE
You are Invited to
My Exclusive Back to School Sale!
NOW-September 1, 2010
*Attention Husbands & Boyfriends – There might be something on here for your special someone!
All Pencils (Lip, Eye, or Brow)…Buy 1 Get 2nd at ½ price !
Erasers (Foundations, Concealers & ALL Timewise anti-aging/anti-wrinkle products)…..20% off!
Paints (Cheek & Eye Colors)…..Buy 1, Get 2nd at ½ Price!
Crayons (Lip Colors)…Buy 1, Get 2nd at ½ price!
Backpacks and Carrying Cases . . .
Compact, Compact Pro, & Traveling Roll-
up bag 25% off!
After Gym Class, hit the showers with Our
Body Care Collection at 20% off!
Satin Hands Pampering Set… $28(peach
scented) or $24(unscented) (Reg. $34 or
$30)
All Fragrance Items (Women & Men)...25% off
School Survival . . . Mary Kay Brush Collection
$38 (Reg. $48)
Laura Sue Johnson
678.507.4248 email: laurasue@marykay.com
In addition to being a high school teacher, I am proud to say that I am a Senior Consultant with Mary Kay. I would love to take care of all of your skin’s needs – consider me your personal shopper! Also, if the Mary Kay opportunity is something that interests you, I am happy to answer any questions you have. J
*If you are interested in hosting a Back to School Party, let me know! Earn $100 FREE in products when you party with me!!!
28.7.10
26.7.10
i have nothing interesting to say
well, the summer is almost gone. i feel like it just started. i have to admit, i'm kinda bored. i distract myself with scrapbooking (a very cheap version, none of this fancy pants stuff) and making fun of adam, but my life needs some action. and no, do not insert your "that's what she
said" comment here.
anyhow. here's what i have been up to. sort of.
mexico beach, florida. just south of wiwahitchka. right....
we got all fancy for a wedding in savannah...
celebrated our seven month anniversary picnic style...in our living room...adam is an awesome chef, btw. too bad you weren't there for the grub....
we made soup together. i almost killed him. with a carrot.
we went to new orleans. it was for work-related training. who knew there was a place on earth as humid as savannah?!?!
i want to eat these forever. yes, please.
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