Songs of Celebration!

"Celebrate good times, COME ON!"

"In the summer time when the weather is hot..."

and a family classsic...

School's out, school's out,
Teacher let the mules out.
One went East, One went West,
One went up the teacher's dress.

Yesterday was my final day as a high school math teacher. There was really no bitterness in it. Just sweet 100% milk chocolate pleasantness! I cleaned up, loaded up and said sayonara to my classroom and friends on staff. It is strange knowing that I will never again encounter most of the students and teachers I met this year. We've spent so much time together, have gone through thick and thin together, and now we part ways. C'est la vie. I've never been very sentimental.

With the close of this chapter, a new and exciting one begins! On Monday, I begin my new career as a full-time rock climbing instructor and guide.

Last night I went to a young adult church event where we discussed the Psalms. The pastor shared how the Psalms not only express praise to God for bringing us through tough times, but they are also a statement of hope and faith we have in God to finish the work he has started in us and bring us the rest of the way. I don't have life all figured out, and I don't have a 10 yr plan of intermediate goals to guide me. I have a guiding vision of where I'd like to be (a direction) and, so far, God has always been there for me, leading me on this journey that is sometimes straight and easy and sometimes long and winding. I trust that he will bring me through trials and uncertainty to the healthy and fulfilling place that he desires for me.

With that, as Jay-z would say, ON TO THE NEXT ONE!

Smooth Operator

This last month brought big life changes for me.

• AMGA SPI - this month I took a course and passed an assessment to gain a single pitch instructor certification from the American Mountain Guide Association. All in all, I'm now a nationally certified climbing instructor and guide, which has been a personal goal for a couple years.

• NEW JOB! - I will be managing the instruction and guiding programs at a local gym as soon as the school year lets out. This new job seems ideal. It will be a mix of teaching inside and out, guiding and managing. I'm psyched to take my skills and joy of teaching to climbing which I'm passionate and excited about. Look for me at the gym! If you want some focused training or some technical skills, hit me up!

I really dislike students right now

8 days . . . just 8 more days. I'm just sick of the talking back, rude comments, cussing, slapping, stealing, cell phones and all their other crap. I'm am consistently amazed at how poorly behaved the students are. It is so incredibly hard for me to connect with them because I do not understand their circumstances, their community, their habits, their behavior - any of it - because I am not and was never like them. Is it that hard to just listen and not interrupt me when I am speaking. Geez.

8 more days . . . At least I haven't hit any of them (hard)