We finished assessments on Tuesday finally! On Wednesday, we were finally able to get back into our normal routine. It was so nice to get back into a normal schedule so the class was calmer and knew what to do. It also made my life easier because I could plan like normal instead of preparing them for everything on their assessments. As much as I enjoyed doing whole group lessons with them, it was time to separate them again so they could learn according to their grade level. We got out of school early on Friday so I spent the afternoon reading, relaxing, and getting a head start on grading.
That night I went to go see Hunger Games with my friend Kathryn who's read the books. I didn't know much about the story line but after seeing it, I am definitely ready to read them. So yes, I am jumping on the bandwagon but that's okay. I am glad that I saw the movie first, though, so I was not disappointed because books are always better than the movies.
I laid by the pool for a few hours on Saturday and was rewarded with a sweet sunglasses mark because I didn't want to take them off. Needless to say, I have raccoon eyes right now and my students will certainly give me a hard time tomorrow. Good thing I will only be there for half a day. More on that in a bit. Due to my ridiculous burn, I chose to stay inside as much as possible so I graded and planned for the week since I will be gone.
This morning I went to Confession which felt really great. I hadn't been in a long time so it was very relieving to go and feel so free afterwards. I was listening to the Gospel during Mass and Father's homily talked about how Jesus had to let go of the good life He had for something more challenging--dying for us. It made me reflect on how sometimes we have to let go of what's always come easy--good friends, family, a nice job, etc.--for something more difficult but more fulfilling. I just think that holds so true and goes back to my feeling about mediocrity--how we shouldn't settle for the easy, comfortable road. I also had the opportunity to be a Eucharistic Minister for the first time. It was a really great experience; I felt much more connected to the Eucharist and to the Mass.
I stayed inside the rest of the day until Amanda and I had to go grocery shopping for our retreat this week. We have a retreat this whole week down here in Miami and were asked to make dinner for everyone tomorrow night. While on our excursion to get our ingredients for enchiladas, a man from Jerusalem insisted on telling me how much he has always wanted to go to Kansas. He only knew I was from Kansas because I had to show my license when I was using my card to buy the groceries. He also told me I looked like a basketball player. He also asked if people from Kansas were racist because that's what he had heard. I was a bit offended at this and assured him that was wrong. Clearly, he was just trying to find a way to talk to me but Amanda found the whole situation hilarious. I found it a bit uncomfortable but am laughing now. I had a hat on and Amanda thinks that's what "won him over".
I am back in the comfort of the apartment again and prepping for dinner tomorrow night since I will be at school in the morning and packing once I get back. As I mentioned, we have a week-long retreat down here and will be welcoming 5 new volunteers who will serve from March of this year to March of 2013. We were informed that this will be a limited technology retreat, one day of which will be a silent retreat where we can't talk all day. This means that I will not able to be on my phone as much while won't change a whole lot since it is off during the day anyway but I'm not sure if I can blog or not. This is my warning though that if I don't call you back right away, I am just not allowed to. If I am allowed on the computer after the day of silence is over, you can bet I will have something posted. Imagine me not being able to talk for a day. I'm sure you are laughing because I certainly am. I know it will be good for me to sit and quiet myself for once.
Well I have to go finish the enchiladas but I hope you all have a great week! I will be back in Kansas in a week and a half! Once again, where has the time gone?
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