Okey Dokey

I taught a little kid to say "okey-dokey artichokey" today. As I walked away from him in the waiting room I heard him say it to his grandma. Cute!

Goal

So, I have this great goal in mind, where I post all the pictures of all the fun I've had this summer (and I've had a lot of fun), but somehow there always seems to be something else to do. Until then, I heard the cutest thing from a five year old I evaluated the other day.

Test Question: How are the words hand and foot alike?

Answer: Jesus made them both.

I love my job.

Three More Reasons to Spend Time with Children

1. I was in St. Regis later than usual yesterday, because of a meeting in Hot Springs, and Kathy informed me that one of the students was really upset because she didn't get to see me. Kathy said the only way she could persuade her to focus and complete her work was by assuring her that I would stop in at her classroom when I came for the day. There was no need. The sweetie came tripping along the hallway a few minutes later, peeked her head in the speech room and shouted, "Miss Kristy! I missed you and I wanted to tell you that you are SO beautiful!" Then she ran into the room and threw her arms around me in a big hug.

2. I was working with a little kindergarten guy today and as I leaned across the table to show him something he looked up, smiled, then reached out to stroke my hair and say, "yo -aio i- so bu-e-o". Being the master linguist and interpreter that I am I said "You think my hair is beautiful?" To which he exclaimed, "Yes!" (We worked on that word all last year...)

3. One of the favorite parts of my job is exiting students from speech. We throw an exit party and really celebrate in order to congratulate the kids on how well they have done and their great hard work. Today I stopped by a classroom to get a teacher's signature to exit one of her students from speech before the end of the school year. As I passed through the classroom I saw the kiddo who is going to be exited and I informed him that he was going to finish out speech at the end of the year, and wouldn't have speech any more next year. He asked about the party and I told him it would be on Tuesday. He grinned, and then suddenly a look of dismay appeared on his face and reaching out he grabbed my hand exclaiming, "But I'm going to miss you!"

Billings Here I Come!

I received a "conditional" job offer. Barring any problems with references and drug tests (hahahaha!) I have been offered a job in Billings. Yipee!

Job Interview

I had a job interview today, and it went well. They said they would like to have me come in and interview in person!

ICE

The streets and highways around here have been like my background recently. They started school an hour late in Thompson Falls two days in a row, to give the snow plows time to sand the Highway heavily before the buses drove on them. They canceled school in St. Regis in Friday....if I only work in St. Regis I would have gotten a four day weekend...'sigh'.

The ice is gradually melting, but the rain is pouring. I drove through two inches of water across the entire surface of the highway today and was fortunate enough that the rock I hit did not puncture my tire.

I think I prefer just snow in January. All this ice and slush and freezing rain accompanied by more ice and slush is confusing.

Teaching in Spanish

On Thursday and today I got to teach in Spanish! It's been a long time since I've had a decent conversation with anyone who speaks Spanish, and I really enjoyed it. The family I taught is from Michoacán, Mexico. They are so nice and humble. Antonio and Maria think I'm hilarious...probably because I just keep talking, even though I'm sure I don't always say things quite right. I arrived late for the visit tonight because it's pouring buckets and I was visit teaching and couldn't exit politely as I had planned. Right as I walked in the door Antonio said that they'd have to put me in the corner as punishment for my tardiness. Too funny! Antonio used to be a logger, but after a very serious accident he hasn't been able to work much, because he's no longer allowed to do any heavy lifting and his hands have always been his livelihood. He's had very little formal education and is anxious that his four children receive a really good education, because he hopes for the best for them. Maria is quiet and kind and laughs a lot. It's so nice to meet good people (and brush up on my Spanish)!