Day 40: Jesus At My Doorstep

Lent is a time where you give up something for 40 days and 40 nights because Jesus once went 40 days and 40 nights in the desert without food or water.  I will fully admit I am by no means a reliable source of religion.  Furthermore, I'm drinking a glass of water as we speak, so I'm feeling a bit hypocritical.  However, I really do think religion is a great thing.  Sappy religious talk aside, I am very thankful for all that I have and I do indeed believe it is all because of God.  What is neat about this world is that there are many outlooks and opinions on things.  This holds true to religions.  There are many outlooks and opinions about each.  I had the priveledge of meeting two nice fellows who were strong followers of the church known as Jesus Chist of Latter Day Saints.  Allow me to explain...

'Twas the night before Easter and all through Zach's apartment, not a creature was stirring, except for the gnats that I can't seem to get rid of.  Is it because of the water leaking from my fridge?  Regardless, I was Skyping with my family who was enjoying Easter festivities at my grandmother's house.  Suddenly my door knocked.  I was hoping it was that UPS guy who was good at throwing stuff, but it was not.  I scoped out the peep-hole and discovered two young fellows sporting bookbags and ties.  You can trust 'em, right? I swung the door open and said hello.  The backpack'd gentlemen said hello back and then an awkward silence and staring took place.  I assumed they were some sort of religious group because, well, who else would come to my door?

They asked if I was familiar with them.  They weren't familiar with me, so why would I be familiar with them?  C'mon guys.  I said, "No... I don't think so..."  They introduced themselves as memebers of the church Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I said, "Oh, alright, well I'm Skyping with my family right now so..."  Hint not taken.  The fellow on the left said "I didn't catch your name."  I told them my name was Zach.  Again, silence and staring followed.  I almost began thinking I was on a hidden camera show.  I asked out of awkwardness, "What's your guys' names?"  One said "My name is Elder So-in-So" as he pointed at his nametag.  I looked at the other's nametag as he said "I am Elder So-in-So." 

Now, please remember I openly stated earlier I am not a reliable source of relgious knowledge, so please understand the mistake I was about to make. 

Without using any sort of common sence I said in a genuinely surprised tone, "Wow! Both of your names are Elder?  What are the chances of that?" 

They looked at each other, and then back at me.  I really don't even remember what they said about it, but it was definitely more polite than what they were probably thinking in their heads.  As it turns out, Elder is some sort of a position in their church.  For example, I would be Elder Clark.  It wasn't really their first name, but a title.  ...Whoops. 

Regardless of this mistake and later embarassment when I told my somehow highly-informed-on-the-Church-of-Latter-Day-Saints family, I was glad the Elder brothers had stopped by.  In the end, Easter and this blog idea came from religion.  I am glad to have religion in my life.  And, as I said, I am thankful for all that God has given me.  I really do believe it was Him who has put all of these great people in my life to meet and enjoy. 

I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter with your family or whomever you spent it with.

Day 39: Home Away From Home

As you may have already known, today is Easter.  Typically when I am at home for Easter, my family gets together for our tradtional Easter meal and egg hunt, which we now have to forfeit to our youngest cousin Anna.  If you're reading this Anna, "forfeit" means you're the best egg hunter and you always beat us.  And yes, I will be home for your birthday party. May 23rd, I got it.

As cool as San Antonio is, it will never be my real home.  So, I had to make due.  I woke up this "morning" and had a not-so-traditional brunch of roughly 23 chicken nuggets.  I then spent the afternoon with a bunch of people I don't know at the gym.  Typical head nods and gym gestures. ... Happy Holidays.

I returned home to kick off my "real" Easter celebration.  I headed to the pool to meet up with Onchor, Alex, and our friend Julian.  I enjoyed conversations including why America is so "not skinny" as Alex put it [revert back to my brunch if you have any questions],  We all then proceeded to get further "not skinny" by grilling out all sorts of goodies by the pool.  You're only in America once, am I right?  

After filling up on I'm-not-quite-sure-what, I realized I had to attend makeshift Easter dinner with the girls.  Laura's sister, Jackie, is in town visiting.  Biologically speaking, Laura and Jackie aren't twin sisters.  Metephorically speaking, Jackie and Laura are twin sisters.  Needless to say, it was a blast.  The girls went all out.  Chicken, potatoes, corn bread, muffins, you name it.  I had... chocolate ice cream.  The grill really got me. 

It wasn't home, but it was darn close. 

Day 36-38: All Around The Globe

Illinois was great, but the weather situation and lack of pool-time was starting to wear on me. 

San Antonio is a cool place.  In most cities in Texas, the people are all from that area.  In San Antonio, you find people from all over the country, and even the world.  For example, Alex (far left) is from France.  Lanka (to the right of Alex) is from the Czech Republic.  Onchor (to the right of me) is from India.  And Anna, well... she's just from America.  All of them live here at the apartment complex and we all hang out every once in awhile.  They all work together at one of the medical building up the street. 

It's interesting to hear about different peoples' lives and experiences, especially people from other countries.  People have a lot more in common than they think 

Enjoy your similarities and your differences.

Day 35: Reverberation Vinyl

For a couple of years in college, I worked for the YMCA.  I mostly worked at local elementary schools doing the after-school program.  For a semester I got to work at the Y as a PE teacher for the home-school PE program.  It was a real blast and a great opportunity for kids who were home-schooled to come meet other people their age. My boss was a guy named John Anderson.  With the exception of being a St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Bears fan, JA is a really cool fellow. 

Long story short, JA had a dream of someday owning a record shop.  A lot of people often have dreams of doing things but never have the time or drive of accomplishing them.  Not JA, though.  He did indeed open a record shop---Reverberation Vinyl.  While I was in Bloomington/Normal, I stopped by his new shop.  Sure enough, there sat JA at the register, basking in his glory. 

I'm not too up on music lingo, nor do I own a record player, but I flipped through the shelves of records as JA told me all about the place.  His dad had built some really sweet shelves that the records were now on.  He said the store had been officially open for about a month and it was quite a hit with a lot of Illinois Wesleyan students from across the street.  As we caught up on each other's lives, I discovered this little gem...

Booya! Rock Island. That's what I'm talkin' about. The contents of this case was about 7 times too big to fit into my car CD player, but I imagine it's a good listen.

Moral of the story--- follow your dreams.  JA is an awesome guy who has done a lot of great things for a lot of people, including myself.  He has that "drive", and turned it into something awesome.  Best of luck with the new business, JA.  You can bet I'll be back for some more of those frisbee-shaped, black-plate looking things soon. 



PS-- you can check out the store's information on their facebook page "Reverberation Vinyl".  If you live in the area, you have to check it out. 

Day 33-34: Durfee, ISU, APT

The road trip continued from Champaign to Decatur where I stopped in for a visit with my Durfee students.  They were at lunch when I arrived and were watching a news video about all of the wild fires in Texas.  They were relieved to see me safe from the fire, but quickly made fun of me for that yellow tank top I wore to the NCAA games.  We had some milk and cookies with lunch and all hung out.  I think the cookies mixed with the fact it was Friday, literally turned some kid(s) into cookie monsters. 

This picture still makes me laugh. Those kids are great.

After leaving Durfee, I headed back to the beautiful Illinois State University.  My first stop was of course at my house from last year, 9 Delaine.  I lived there with 9 others guys first semester.  As you can imagine, the place was very well kept and always welcoming.  The boys had painted an Irish flag on one wall of the living room.  There was also a black and yellow lizard living upstairs.  They named him Wiz.  They're so clever.  Both the lizard and the flag were great additions to a gorgeous piece of real estate. 

Gentlemen and scholars.

Besides missing these cupcakes so much, I also had to take my final teacher-certification test on Saturday.  My dear friends Eva and Audrey offered me their couch to sleep on.  I headed their way where I would later become a small child, spoiled by not one, but two motherly gals.  

Eva and Audrey slaved away in the kitchen and prepared us a delicious meal of chicken and pasta.  I was settled too far into their large bean bag chair to help.  After dinner they made chocolate milk shakes. Again, I would have helped but... the bean bag thing.  Thanks to all of their cooking, couch-lending and hospitality, I think I passed the APT in the morning. 

Day 31-32: You of Eye

I figured while I was at home for this "business trip", I'd have a bit of a vacation, too.  I met up with Kristyn at our friend Carolyn's place.  Carolyn goes to University of Illinois in Champaign.  It was awesome seeing both of them and hanging out.  We all work together during the summer at the beloved Camp Tecumseh.  When we're not busy as counselors, we enjoy using our talents to form a band.  A rock band, if you will.  I dominated the guitar, Carolyn sprained her ankle playing drums, and Kristyn got the attention of the neighbors with her vocals. 

After this and several games of Wii bowling, our other counselor friend, Emily, joined the party. Party meaning Wii in the living room.  We did eventually end up enjoying the outdoors later of in the evening.  All in all, it was an awesome roadtrip to visit some of my favorite people.

 

Day 30: Enter Adulthood

Being home was awesome.  I got to see my parents, grandma, sister, friends, Skype with my brother, etc etc.  Cliche but always true, there is no place like home. 

I flew home because I had a second interview with J-Wahl and the superintendent in Ottawa.  Long story short, it went well and I got a job!  As of next year, I will be teaching 5th grade. 

There's really only one thing to do after getting your first job, and that--of course-- is to have a steak. 

I wish I could say this was the only photo taken and it was a fluke my grandma and dad weren't smiling.  

We tried multiple times.  "On 3" is easier said than done.

Well done, Ma. 

As always Home, thanks for the love, the steak, the warm bed, the laundry, the pancakes, the Yahtzee and the laughs.  See you all again in 12 days. 

Day 29: Stranger Flight

So I'm on my flight back home and I'm sitting next to this guy.  It's almost impossible not to acknowledge a person who is sitting so close to you.  It's more awkward if you don't.  So I did.  Our flight was going back to Chicago, so I asked the guy if that was his final destination.  He said he was from Indiana-- a town not too far from Chicago on Lake Michigan.  He asked me the same, and told him I was connecting to go home to Moline.  We exchanged stories as to why we were both in San Antonio.

He was an older gentlemen who has worked construction for 20+ years in San Antonio.  He was heading home to visit with some family back in his hometown.  I told him the whole student teaching story.  We then discussed things like the Masters, places I have and haven't been in San Antonio, and my ties with the state of Indiana. 

It was really cool talking to him.  However, my ears kept popping and it was awfully hard to hear him or myself talk sometimes.  I'm afraid I was shouting much of the conversation and upsetting the other plane patrons.  Regardless, it made the time go by much quicker.  He was a nice guy, but I never caught this stranger's name.  He probably said it at some point but didn't shout it loud enough for me to hear.



Chew gum on planes.

Day 26-28: Back To Work

Boomshockalocka!!!


Wow.  I was just sitting around thinking, "Hey, didn't you used to try to keep a blog?" 


I have been back home in beautiful Illinois for the past week.  (That's not excuse for not keeping up).  But now I am back in San Antonio and ready to make up for lost time. 

I'd like to introduce you to three great ladies. 

From left to right:  Mary, Not-a-lady, Ashtreid, Terry

I don't even know how I would classify their job titles.  I'm going to go with "Special Education Extraordinaires." 

Mary and Terry have been working at Leon Valley for a combined 39 years.  I've almost made it 4 months?

In any job, there are certain people that you enjoy seeing throughout the day.  Mary, Ashtreid and Terry are three of those people.  No matter how stressful or chaotic their days are, they always seem to be in a good mood.  It makes me realize that perhaps I should tap into my patience a bit more and be more like them. 

One day early in my student teaching, I was really having a long day.  I'm not even sure what the problem was, but I was whiped out.  Terry saw me in the hall and kindly said, "Woah, Zach, bad day huh?"  I believe that's the polite way of saying "You look like garbage, what happened to you?"  Anyways, I was indeed having a bad day and did indeed feel and look like garbage.  The next day Terry brought me a package of Hershey Kissables.  She told me there'd be plenty of bad days, but way more good days. 

It's a gesture I will never forget.  It's the talking to and goofing with these ladies that keeps me sane throughout the day. 

To good people... and Hershey's. 

Day 25: Keepin' It In The Family: Again

April 5th is a usual day to most people.  Most of us probably woke up this morning still wondering if that basketball game last night could even be deemed a "championship." 

April 5th has been and always will be a special day to myself and my family.  Today would have been my brother Ezekiel's 18th birthday.  "Zeke" passed away shortly after birth due to complications of being born premature. 

It goes without saying that it is a tragic thing.  However, even without being here, Zeke has taught me a lot.  He has taught me to appreciate life and all that comes along with it--good and bad.  No doubt about it, if I could have hung out with one person today, it would have been him. 

Appreciate life.  Don't take it for granted.  Be with people who make you happy. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tex0U7qS7h4

Day 24: Ma and Pops

Undoubtedly, no one will ever love you more than your mom and dad. 

I could have made an entire blog just about my parents, but I will slim it down to just this post. 

I have a follow up interview with that school in Illinois.  I am pumped.  I would not be able to attend if it weren't for my parents generously putting up the airfare home.  I'm not sure which part of cooking me food or doing my laundry excites them, but I can tell they are just as excited as I am.  Besides finding out about this second interview today, I was greeted with another care package.

I had missed this package on Friday when it originally came.  I was bummed and thought to myself, "I wish they would just throw it onto my patio where no one could get it."  This was an unrealist wish, as my patio is about 7 feet from my stairs.  Who would throw a package 7 feet onto a patio?

UPS would.


I came home today from school to find one of my patio/living room chairs knocked over on my balcony.  I then found a UPS slip in the crack of my door.  Could it be?  Yes, it could.  They even checked the box "left on patio."  What nice guys.  Thankfully nothing breakable was sent in the package.  It was all just health food. 


So big thanks to you, Mom and Dad.  As I sit here on my living room floor in my underpants watching the NCAA Championship, I can not begin to tell you how excited I am to be home for a week. 

See you in 160 hours.

Day 23: Lettie, I think

Is that how you spell Lettie?  We'll found out soon.


Burno and Tom tell me about this lowrider show in San Antonio.  It sounds cool, right? 

You have to look close to see Jesus.  This entire car was the story of Jesus being crucified and the story that came after it . Intense stuff. 

The place was full of crazy cars all decked out in ridiculous paint and silly tires.  Silly meaning silly, not cool. 

Before we went to the show, we picked up Burno and Tom's friend, Lettie. 

Lettie is cool.  I realize I say this about every person I put into my blog.  Let me explain what "cool" means.  Cool is being a geniunely sincere, fun, enjoyable person.  She was just that. 

"Cool" is what this blog is all about. 
Sorry about the pic, Lettie.  Here's the one your preferred.

The red lipstick looks good!

Anyways, Lettie was great.  She's lived in San Antonio all of her life, on the "south side."  She told a lot of great stories about living here and things she's seen.

The four of us enjoyed watching people eating turkey legs and being themselves.  It was indeed a cultural expeience, but one that I am glad to have made.

Day 22: Awful

I'm awful at blogging. 

It's okay to admit what you're bad at.  To be honest, if you can figure out what you're bad at, you can begin to figure out how to fix the problem.  Did that make any sense to you? 

It didn't to me either.




Let's talk about good people.  Jama Wahl.

J-Wahl is the principal at Central Intermediate School in Ottawa, Illinois.  I will admit, I'm biased.  I just interviewed for a position at J-Wahl's school.  That's not why she is a "good people."  She is a "good people" because she gets "stuff" done.  Let me tell you more. 

This Central Intermediate School in Ottawa, Illinois, had a flood in 2008.  The flood ruined the entire school.  They had no where to go except a church.  God I'm hot. 

I just turned on the AC. 

Back to real things--- what are you going to do? Crumple up and fold?  No way, Jose.  Not only does J-Wahl keep the show rolling, she improves the show.  Have you ever seen the movie Waiting for Superman?  If not, walk to your nearest Redbox and grab a copy. 

J-Wahl (and teachers) improve students' test scores and set bigger and better goals for each and every next year.  Impossible? Negative.  They're doing it.

Regardless of their improvement and my potential employment, this is what needs to be done in America.  We are the "super power" in the world, yet we continue to fail the young people of our society. 

It's time to step up to the plate.

To all of the J-Wahls and company who are doing just that, keep up the good work. 

Regardless of politics and budget cuts, truth is all that matters.  Be honest with kids. 

Teach them. 

Lead them.