Construction paper and glue = Patience

The past two weeks went by so fast. So, let's play catch up shall we. Well, I am a substitute teacher here at the local public school. An emergency certified sub (qualified to teach K-12).  I got my school ID the day before I started, OMG - with no makeup nevertheless. I so need to lose that ID so I can go in and get a new pic. I look like a detention officer..yeah, it's an ewww kind of situation.

My very first experience of subbing was for a First Grade Class, WOW, if you never had the definition of patience served up to you on construction paper and glue prepare to have 17 six year old school you. I clocked out of there at 3:40 a totally different person, it takes guts to go into a classroom of energetic kids and come out alive after 8 hours.

Who needs the magic powers of a crystal ball to tell you about your future, present and past - JUST TALK TO A FIRST GRADER - I was told "don't quit your day job" by a little girl who took one look at me and decided my fate. I stood there with nothing to say - if you know me you know that is a  rarity.  She put me in my place, my sister completed her analyization by asking also "Lene, what is your day job?" ummm, sleeping till noon. That was it, I was not going to be told what I can do and can't do by some six year old fortune teller. Can you hear that crystal ball being thrown against the monkey bars?

(That very night, I came down with the most horrendous flu that I have ever had in years. My immunities were challenged by first grader cooties. I was better by Monday, ready and armed with disinfectant wipes and sanitizing lotion) 

 I went back the following week only to flip a tv cart over (purely an accident) - which sent the ancient antique of a 32 inch  crashing to the floor (not the prediction of my future catching up with me)  I remained cool and calm in front of a classroom of High school students. Their expression is one that I will remember for years to come. AWESOME, CLASSIC, NEAT were the words shouted over the clash of a Sony hitting the floor. 

High Schoolers let me tell you are worst than elementary kids. I wanted so badly to line them up in a straight line and walk them to the restroom and water fountain, of course we would debate over who gets to be line leader. Hahaha, suckers. For the most part, it was interesting.

Junior High, a corrections department for juvenile delinquents disguised as a Junior High Educational Facility.
I was not prepared - I learned quickly and am happy to say I learned to say "No" (hahaha, I should've learned how to say "no" a long time ago, then maybe I would've stayed out of trouble - better late than never), saying "No" with authority and having them sit there like scared chickens was more than I could hope for, I enjoyed every minute of it, hahaha.

The message here people is:

DON'T LISTEN TO A RANDOM FORTUNE TELLER DISGUISED AS A  6 YEAR OLD

THE BEST QUOTE OF THE WEEK AS HEARD FROM A FOURTH GRADER 

"dude, I don't want to be your chick. I'm only in 4th grade" 

SURVIVOR.

Hózhóogo naasháa doo
Shitsijí’ hózhóogo naasháa doo
Shikéédéé hózhóogo naasháa doo
Shideigi hózhóogo naasháa doo
T’áá altso shinaagóó hózhóogo naasháa doo
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’
Hózhó náhásdlíí’

 

I will be as I was before, I will have a cool breeze over my body.

I will have a light body, I will be happy forever, nothing will hinder me.

I walk with beauty before me. I walk with beauty behind me.

I walk with beauty below me. I walk with beauty above me.

I walk with beauty around me. My words will be beautiful.

In beauty all day long may I walk.

Through the returning seasons, may I walk.

On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.

Willie Nelson on Cassette?

So, I crawled out of bed around 9:30 this A.M. (I really am trying to get up before 8am, believe me I am trying - but I get caught up in homework and watching Bravo at all late hours of the night it's really killing my internal alarm clock). I set out the door for the K-Town Flea. I drove and drove and drove - the clouds offered up some cool breeze, but my thin-thin sweater didn't suffice the nips Jack Frost had scathing my skin--So, I hear the cold front came from none other than my former home -Flagstaff. SLAP- SLAP - across the face - I can't dwell on the easy lifestyle of city life - I am a self proclaimed Rez Girl with the need to get in my car every Wed and shop like my quarters were made of real silver. I am just cheap that way. Like I previously said I am cheap to an extent, but I do have some decency and demure to hold up my character.  Anywho, I go to the Flea to get out of the house, there's no-one here during the day and usually I'm the only one here, so don't judge when I say my doc has ordered I go see a mental health therapist 2x's a month, I tried telling him, I only talk to myself for entertainment purposes only - he didn't let that excuse fly - he said I just need someone else to talk to other than to my video camera..hahaha. Valium ain't got nothing on me, baby!! Let's get back to this day trip shall we. -- ooh, here's some pics I took on the way..Excuse my dirty windows, but you get the point..

My uncle lives here on the left..I never had the chance to see my cheii, my mama says my yazh looks like my cheii. Next are pictures of a place called Baby Rocks. I think this place is pretty self explanatory

Can you see the humble philosopher? My favorite rock formation

Chilchinbeto, is the birthplace of my mom, and of course the roots of who I am are planted here.

Now, without further adue..let's get this show on the road.

I'll start off with my intro to K-TOWN - aka me the tourist guide..

(If you are having problems loading up the vid, click watch on youtube in the downbar)
Upon arrival, I see two of the women I hold dear to my heart. My sister on the Left and my Auntie on the Right.

The Typical Food Stand found here, achii and mutton cooking on the grill.

(If you are having problems loading up the vid, click watch on youtube in the downbar)

On the way home - I had to take a pic of some awesome graffiti on a windmill. 

The Stuff I bought.

The glass bowls are for my earrings and change. The fruits are a necessity, the bowls are for thanksgiving, the toy was needed for entertainment for baby #4, the sand paintings are for home decor, the popcorn MM tin will be used to hold mini bags of microwavable popcorn, and lastly Willie and Jewel on cassette. I bought a few other things, but their x-mas gifts.. Whew

NOW OFF TO MAKE DINNER 

RETRO MERMAID

Gel Pens, Oil Pastels, Black Sharpie marker, pencil and gum eraser - Busted this out in about 30 minutes.

The muse -lyrics from Lisa Hannigan.  I'm off to Bed.

LOST in THOUGHT

tonights dream topic.

LAST YEAR TO NOW

2010

My house is a mess, my boys smell like tadpoles, my daughter made dinner and accidentally spilled it on the floor, we ran out of ramen - plain rice at 10pm. hopefully after the kids get bathed and we all eat. we Can sleep. lots to do in the AM..and cleaning my house isn't one of them.

2011

We moved into a two story 3 bedroom apt, with all the fancy accommodations of things that we simple rez folk weren't use to like running water or electricity or wait for it Indoor Plumbing.  We were like cave-people discovering fire for the first time.  Once we got into the groove of things. Not much has changed. 

My house is messier than it ever was before, forget about running water - the boys still refuse to take a shower - let alone they come home reeking of a sweaty locker room, my daughter has not yet learned the concept of cooking a meal that doesn't have the Just add Water label stamped across it. As for cleaning the house, dude, that's why I gave birth to a slew of my own slaves - aka- kids.  Fancier term for jobs that I refuse to do is chores..hahaha. Sucker.  

Truth is, I'm not afraid to open the door and let my guests peruse my apt, it's clean, and there's beef stew in the crockpot.. 

I guess the kids haven't changed, but I certainly have. 

Hooyah. 

 

P.S. But, in all fairness I do miss sitting out in the open -in the portal of thoughts commonly known as the outie.