Hello Friends and Family
The holiday season is upon us, and for me that means many different things. First adn foremost it means I will be done with my thesis! The past bit of time has left me bogged down in classes and school work. But as I was reminded many times along this journey there is a light at the end of the tunnel. As of mid December my thesis is to be completed and as of now that looks do-able, assuming I want no social life between now and then. I am writing my thesis on "The Affects of Nutrition on Behavior of Children in Public Schools." This has been quite an undertaking with not a whole lot of useful science to back my claims. Everything is close to done as of now and I do plan to have if completed for a final edit during thanksgiving. My final product will be a unit plan on nutrition, which also includes an integrated art unit! As well as a resource guide for parents and teachers alike. I imagine I will run in to some really poorly behaved students in my teaching career, as I already have. I would hate to see them be put on medication and would rather see alternate methods attempted first. As we all know we in America do not have the best nutritional habits, and the theory is that this is affecting behavior.
On top of thesis writing I am taking two other courses. The ironic part is throughout my graduate education my peers and I have struggled with our teachers pressing them to push us. Well now the one quarter we could use the break while we write our thesis we found two teachers who really do ask us for high quality work. Irony strikes again.
Beyond school I am still working as a preschool teacher. My kids are amazing and halarious, however tiring and stressfull. I do love my job but find it difficult as I attempt to put forth the most quality in my Academics. My last day of work will be Dec 31st as I prepare to begin my student teaching, the final twelve weeks before my degree is granted! I will be working in the 4th grade at Kibler Elementary in Enumclaw.
Rugby still has a place in my life. I have been practicing with the Seattle Breakers again. Did not participate in any matches and mainly used the season to put myself back in shape and a good stress reliever. I am also one of a few coaches for the University of Washington's Rugby Team. The team as a whole voted for a competitive season and that we have delivered. They have won two of three matches; we are seeing depth in the team and commitment to hard work!
In my spare time, wherever that ends up, I was able to travel to Austin to watch the Breakers fight their way to a spot in the Div 1 National Champinships! As well as visit my friends that are there. Much of me can’t wait to return and I keep my fingers crossed that a job will open up for me in Austin as it fits me.
I believe that’s the update on my end, back to the homework!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
jelly fish
Here is a cool video of jelly fish plus justin and myself but mostly jelly fish...
I also have one of justin and I looking at the macaws... they are giant though it is hard to tell. Its kinda long but they are characters!
I also have one of justin and I looking at the macaws... they are giant though it is hard to tell. Its kinda long but they are characters!
Chattanooga
I recently visited dad, candace and justin in TN. We had a wonderful time at the childrens museum, the aquarium and an interesting tour of the city via a boat ride... It was hot reaching 107degrees with 90% humidity. I longingly looked at the weather for seattle and saw it was colder then I would have wanted but after looking at austin I thought man they have amazing weather!
My trip ended with a thunder and rain storm so I could not fly out. I took a shuttle to atlanta and after changing my flight I made it home many hours late.
Candace took some video of the brother and me... check it out:)
My trip ended with a thunder and rain storm so I could not fly out. I took a shuttle to atlanta and after changing my flight I made it home many hours late.
Candace took some video of the brother and me... check it out:)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Well I shall get better at this
The point of this blog was to keep people updated, which currently is not happening so I am trying to get better at this
I am currently in my first of six quarters at Antioch University in order to get my Masters in Elementary Education. So far its been an interesting run of classes. I am halfway through the quarter and have had classes that need spruced up, teachers that need spruced up and classes I really know my stuff for as the teacher holds high expectations. I have to say the last is the one I prefer by far. Its amazing what a change in thought I have since exiting undergrad. I would have given anything for a class I could slide by in, now I want the teacher to hold high standards and expectations!
As I go through this process I am a part of a "cohort". there are 16 or more of us going through the same classes together. This has been nice. It has already formed a network of people I can contact in my professional life as well as another network of friends that will continue beyond school.
Other then that I am still working at Whizz Kids Academy in Lakeforest Park with the two year olds. It has proven to be a lot of work as we come upon accreditation in NAEYC- National Association for Educating Young Children. This means there will be someone who is coming to asses us in the next few weeks and they critique everything. Every class has to pass with an 80% or more in order for our school to get re accredited. It has made work busy but it has also made my work quality!
Other then school and work my time for much else has disappeared. I am living in Monroe currently with my cousin ryan. The commute has proven long. The combination of very little time to be social and the distance from everyone being in monroe has really cut my social time to nothing!
I think that is it for now, off to spend the rest of my sunday under a load of textbooks.
I am currently in my first of six quarters at Antioch University in order to get my Masters in Elementary Education. So far its been an interesting run of classes. I am halfway through the quarter and have had classes that need spruced up, teachers that need spruced up and classes I really know my stuff for as the teacher holds high expectations. I have to say the last is the one I prefer by far. Its amazing what a change in thought I have since exiting undergrad. I would have given anything for a class I could slide by in, now I want the teacher to hold high standards and expectations!
As I go through this process I am a part of a "cohort". there are 16 or more of us going through the same classes together. This has been nice. It has already formed a network of people I can contact in my professional life as well as another network of friends that will continue beyond school.
Other then that I am still working at Whizz Kids Academy in Lakeforest Park with the two year olds. It has proven to be a lot of work as we come upon accreditation in NAEYC- National Association for Educating Young Children. This means there will be someone who is coming to asses us in the next few weeks and they critique everything. Every class has to pass with an 80% or more in order for our school to get re accredited. It has made work busy but it has also made my work quality!
Other then school and work my time for much else has disappeared. I am living in Monroe currently with my cousin ryan. The commute has proven long. The combination of very little time to be social and the distance from everyone being in monroe has really cut my social time to nothing!
I think that is it for now, off to spend the rest of my sunday under a load of textbooks.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Where oh Where is the sun
Probably in Austin Texas where it always seems to be. In an effort to update everyone here I go. Back in seattle for those select few who have actually not heard. Working with two year olds again at another child are center and intend on going back to school to get a masters in elementary education at Antioch University in down town seattle. After that we will see where the job market takes me though I cant say I am not pulling for Austin!
I am not currently playing rugby as my head is still not feeling totally healed from that amazing concussion. We will see what the doc has to say later this week. Plus if its not with the valks I am not really enthused about playing! :)
Other then that I am going to be in seattle till the end of grad school which I hope to be starting in August and it will last six quarters. YAY I will also be working full time ontop of graduate school so i will have no other activities in my life. but will graduate with a masters in elementary ed, endorsed in early childhood ed and special ed!
I am not currently playing rugby as my head is still not feeling totally healed from that amazing concussion. We will see what the doc has to say later this week. Plus if its not with the valks I am not really enthused about playing! :)
Other then that I am going to be in seattle till the end of grad school which I hope to be starting in August and it will last six quarters. YAY I will also be working full time ontop of graduate school so i will have no other activities in my life. but will graduate with a masters in elementary ed, endorsed in early childhood ed and special ed!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
This was written a while ago but it has a lot of good stuff... so thought I would put it up anyhow
Greeting to you all,
As the last year has come to a close so do many of the adventures in my life and I thought I could send you all an update and a big thanks for all the support in my life.
I am officially a college graduate. I graduated with a bachelors degree in Geography specializing in Urban, Social and Political Geography. What can I do with this degree you ask. Well actually a good deal is possible with it. What would be most exciting would be studying people. My degree is much like an anthropology degree only I use a lot more numbers and as you might guess maps! I do plan on furthering my education in getting a Masters in Early Childhood Education.
My four years at UW were some of the best in my life. I left the university with some very irreplaceable friends, experiences and knowledge. As everyone should know by now rugby was a huge part of my life in college and is far from sliding away from my grasp! I went from being a rookie my freshmen year to treasurer my sophomore year to V.P. my junior and senior year as well as captain my senior year. Though it was very hard to walk away from something that took up so much of my time I left my team in very capable hands and cant wait to see where they take it! Beyond rugby those four years were covered in different churches and missions. St. Lukes and St. Benedicts were the two churches I did voluntary youth ministry at and was blessed by the presence of so many amazing children. St. Jude was where I spent time as an intern in the Jr. High program. Blessed again by the children and challenged as for the first time I was dealing with kids that were too privileged. This I found to be my weak spot in youth ministry. Give me a dozen under privileged kids and I feel like I have great ideas on how to relate lessons to them, replace them with kids that have too much and I am at a loss. Although it was a great experience and a great time of learning for myself. Missions played a huge role in my spiritual life, from Migrant projects to retreats, catholic camp, the Dominican Republic to Alaska. I really came closer to God the more involved I was and really started to understand just who I was in this great big world.
My time in college ended with a mission to Malawi Africa. A time I am not even sure I have fully understood yet. I worked with an organization called Children of the Nations. This is the same organization I went with to the Dominican Republic my junior year of college. In Malawi I worked along American and Malawian interns. We worked in villages spreading the word of God. Though bible lessons were given we ran a lot on action. Showing Gods love to those children as well as their parents. My time there can be summed up in a few words: struggle, a broken heart, a broken stomach and Gods Amazing Grace. Struggle because that’s exactly what it was. From a different language to a different culture; struggling with being understanding and patient. Struggle doesn’t end there; I struggled with God about who I am and what it is I was doing not only in Africa but where I was headed in my life. A broken heart because during the time there in the village I was ministering in due to some circumstances out of my hands the chief asked us not to come back. Though we were told after we were back at the office about this so I never got to say goodbye to my kids. A broken stomach because I spent a solid week very ill from the village water (or that’s my best guess). It all came to an end with an IV and some good rest. Finally God’s Amazing Grace because at the end no matter how much I struggled no matter how much it seemed like things were falling apart they weren’t and God was right there to light my path.
With the chapter of my life known as undergrad behind me I have a whole lot of life in front of me. I now find myself in Austin Texas. A place I had never even visited before I packed up and moved here. I knew a whole two people in Austin and still decided this was going to be the place for me. Well it turns out gut instinct was exactly what I needed to follow in this case. I live with one of the two people I knew, Heidi. We have a two bedroom apartment and each of us have a cat. Since they really don’t like each other my room has become my cats playground, and for the most part devoted to make sure she isn’t bored throughout the day while I am at work. Speaking of work I am working as the early preschool teacher at a Christian childcare center. The center is small but growing very quickly. My day is filled with potty training, abc’s, colors, numbers, shapes and socializing skills. My kids are the best and I love them so much, though I am sure you could see that one coming! Other then work I play rugby for the Austin Valkyries. This is a Club level women’s team and I couldn’t have asked to walk on to a better team. Its amazing how quickly these girls scoop you up and make you feel like you are family. Most of my week nights are spent either playing rugby with them or just hanging out. And undoubtedly my weekends are always filled with good old rugby fun! Beyond those two things I have been settling into a church that I am liking more and more.
Other then that Austin is feeling more and more comfortable the longer I am here. The city though geographically bland is full of interesting and unique people, places and things.
I miss you all and if you find yourself in Austin give me a call! Other then that I hope to see you all very soon. Stay updated on my life via my blog: http://mylifeasiknowit-samiallen.blogspot.com
Blessings
Sami
Me and Miller on the way to a rugby match
Me in Ketchikan AK
Me and Nick in Ketchikan AK
The top of a mountain in Alaska
Vespers pit at camp in AK
First year of camp
Greeting to you all,
As the last year has come to a close so do many of the adventures in my life and I thought I could send you all an update and a big thanks for all the support in my life.
I am officially a college graduate. I graduated with a bachelors degree in Geography specializing in Urban, Social and Political Geography. What can I do with this degree you ask. Well actually a good deal is possible with it. What would be most exciting would be studying people. My degree is much like an anthropology degree only I use a lot more numbers and as you might guess maps! I do plan on furthering my education in getting a Masters in Early Childhood Education.
My four years at UW were some of the best in my life. I left the university with some very irreplaceable friends, experiences and knowledge. As everyone should know by now rugby was a huge part of my life in college and is far from sliding away from my grasp! I went from being a rookie my freshmen year to treasurer my sophomore year to V.P. my junior and senior year as well as captain my senior year. Though it was very hard to walk away from something that took up so much of my time I left my team in very capable hands and cant wait to see where they take it! Beyond rugby those four years were covered in different churches and missions. St. Lukes and St. Benedicts were the two churches I did voluntary youth ministry at and was blessed by the presence of so many amazing children. St. Jude was where I spent time as an intern in the Jr. High program. Blessed again by the children and challenged as for the first time I was dealing with kids that were too privileged. This I found to be my weak spot in youth ministry. Give me a dozen under privileged kids and I feel like I have great ideas on how to relate lessons to them, replace them with kids that have too much and I am at a loss. Although it was a great experience and a great time of learning for myself. Missions played a huge role in my spiritual life, from Migrant projects to retreats, catholic camp, the Dominican Republic to Alaska. I really came closer to God the more involved I was and really started to understand just who I was in this great big world.
My time in college ended with a mission to Malawi Africa. A time I am not even sure I have fully understood yet. I worked with an organization called Children of the Nations. This is the same organization I went with to the Dominican Republic my junior year of college. In Malawi I worked along American and Malawian interns. We worked in villages spreading the word of God. Though bible lessons were given we ran a lot on action. Showing Gods love to those children as well as their parents. My time there can be summed up in a few words: struggle, a broken heart, a broken stomach and Gods Amazing Grace. Struggle because that’s exactly what it was. From a different language to a different culture; struggling with being understanding and patient. Struggle doesn’t end there; I struggled with God about who I am and what it is I was doing not only in Africa but where I was headed in my life. A broken heart because during the time there in the village I was ministering in due to some circumstances out of my hands the chief asked us not to come back. Though we were told after we were back at the office about this so I never got to say goodbye to my kids. A broken stomach because I spent a solid week very ill from the village water (or that’s my best guess). It all came to an end with an IV and some good rest. Finally God’s Amazing Grace because at the end no matter how much I struggled no matter how much it seemed like things were falling apart they weren’t and God was right there to light my path.
With the chapter of my life known as undergrad behind me I have a whole lot of life in front of me. I now find myself in Austin Texas. A place I had never even visited before I packed up and moved here. I knew a whole two people in Austin and still decided this was going to be the place for me. Well it turns out gut instinct was exactly what I needed to follow in this case. I live with one of the two people I knew, Heidi. We have a two bedroom apartment and each of us have a cat. Since they really don’t like each other my room has become my cats playground, and for the most part devoted to make sure she isn’t bored throughout the day while I am at work. Speaking of work I am working as the early preschool teacher at a Christian childcare center. The center is small but growing very quickly. My day is filled with potty training, abc’s, colors, numbers, shapes and socializing skills. My kids are the best and I love them so much, though I am sure you could see that one coming! Other then work I play rugby for the Austin Valkyries. This is a Club level women’s team and I couldn’t have asked to walk on to a better team. Its amazing how quickly these girls scoop you up and make you feel like you are family. Most of my week nights are spent either playing rugby with them or just hanging out. And undoubtedly my weekends are always filled with good old rugby fun! Beyond those two things I have been settling into a church that I am liking more and more.
Other then that Austin is feeling more and more comfortable the longer I am here. The city though geographically bland is full of interesting and unique people, places and things.
I miss you all and if you find yourself in Austin give me a call! Other then that I hope to see you all very soon. Stay updated on my life via my blog: http://mylifeasiknowit-samiallen.blogspot.com
Blessings
Sami
Me and Miller on the way to a rugby match
Me in Ketchikan AK
Me and Nick in Ketchikan AK
The top of a mountain in Alaska
Vespers pit at camp in AK
First year of camp
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
chuckie cheese
so here is a little story to tell you what my day looked like today.
it was just before ten and i had about 11 kids in class. though both toddler classes were combined so my kids ranged in ages 18 months to nearly three. I had just put all my potty trainers in their underwear who were supposed to be and not five minutes later one had peed on themselves. ugh. so while changing him out of wet clothes into a pullup a little girl yells yellow water yellow water. well at least she knows her colors because sure enough there on the white tile a yellow puddle. i asked the whole class who wet their pants thinking that the little boy on the table did not pee that much. nobody responded and they all agreed it was the boy i was changing. not a second later i realized it wasnt him but another kid with his back to me near the puddle. so i scolded him for not speaking up when he peed his pants because sitting in wet pants is not good. i threw some towels over the puddle and was finishing changing the first boy as the door open. I looked up to see a dad bringing his son in. only this dad is insistent upon not putting his kid on the ground but handing him to me. so there i was two kids deep in pee pants and a puddle of pee on the floor blocking the doorway so dad couldnt come in. I scanned the room then to see one of my girls opened the play kitchen cupboard and crawled inside with the top half of her body sticking out the sink. I told her to get out and next time she would get a time out. So i put the first kid on the ground and cleanup the pee puddle all while the dad watches me. i wash my hands and take the little boy. dad leaves, i put his kid down and i start changing the second boys pants when i hear miss sami help from a tiny little voice infront on me and i think not another interruption cant i just change pee pants in this room. thats when i not only see the same little girl in a sink but another one also. two kids put themselves in there and are now actually stuck. so i stand the boy half clothed in pee clothes on the ground and grab sanitizer so i can help this new mess in front of me. Just when i think i will have to call up front to my bosses i manage to squeeze the smaller of the two girls free of the sink and promptly put her in time out as afterall i had already warned her. I finally finished changing the pee clothes and was over dealing with underwear for the day. I also need to nail those dumb cupboard doors shut.
the other story of the day was far less stressfull but was totally cute and i couldnt help but laugh and think this is why i like kids. we were playing outside and i was sitting on the steps goofing around with this one little boy who was whining for his mom. this other little boy who just turned two but is a little behind and happens to be in his own world alot came and sat next to me. now for this to even make a little sense i need to explain this kid to you. he is never in the right spot and when you yell his name to get his attention he does this bobble head thing side to side with this ridiculous grin on his face at first its cute but after a day a week or a few months its frustrating. you do a head count and every time you come up one short because he has always wandered somewhere else. he is always smiling but never doing what he should be though i am not sure he is aware of it. and recently he has learned to copy EVERYTHING you say. so there he was next to me and over and over he was saying miss sami miss sami in his high little voice. i kept saying what but looking at the boy in front of me still sad about his mom. finally he reached over grabbed my face so i looked at him. he said "miss sami" very calmly then as fast as he could he said "chuckie cheese". this is when i lost it i couldnt help but laugh at the day i just had. and it all came down to chuckie cheese
it was just before ten and i had about 11 kids in class. though both toddler classes were combined so my kids ranged in ages 18 months to nearly three. I had just put all my potty trainers in their underwear who were supposed to be and not five minutes later one had peed on themselves. ugh. so while changing him out of wet clothes into a pullup a little girl yells yellow water yellow water. well at least she knows her colors because sure enough there on the white tile a yellow puddle. i asked the whole class who wet their pants thinking that the little boy on the table did not pee that much. nobody responded and they all agreed it was the boy i was changing. not a second later i realized it wasnt him but another kid with his back to me near the puddle. so i scolded him for not speaking up when he peed his pants because sitting in wet pants is not good. i threw some towels over the puddle and was finishing changing the first boy as the door open. I looked up to see a dad bringing his son in. only this dad is insistent upon not putting his kid on the ground but handing him to me. so there i was two kids deep in pee pants and a puddle of pee on the floor blocking the doorway so dad couldnt come in. I scanned the room then to see one of my girls opened the play kitchen cupboard and crawled inside with the top half of her body sticking out the sink. I told her to get out and next time she would get a time out. So i put the first kid on the ground and cleanup the pee puddle all while the dad watches me. i wash my hands and take the little boy. dad leaves, i put his kid down and i start changing the second boys pants when i hear miss sami help from a tiny little voice infront on me and i think not another interruption cant i just change pee pants in this room. thats when i not only see the same little girl in a sink but another one also. two kids put themselves in there and are now actually stuck. so i stand the boy half clothed in pee clothes on the ground and grab sanitizer so i can help this new mess in front of me. Just when i think i will have to call up front to my bosses i manage to squeeze the smaller of the two girls free of the sink and promptly put her in time out as afterall i had already warned her. I finally finished changing the pee clothes and was over dealing with underwear for the day. I also need to nail those dumb cupboard doors shut.
the other story of the day was far less stressfull but was totally cute and i couldnt help but laugh and think this is why i like kids. we were playing outside and i was sitting on the steps goofing around with this one little boy who was whining for his mom. this other little boy who just turned two but is a little behind and happens to be in his own world alot came and sat next to me. now for this to even make a little sense i need to explain this kid to you. he is never in the right spot and when you yell his name to get his attention he does this bobble head thing side to side with this ridiculous grin on his face at first its cute but after a day a week or a few months its frustrating. you do a head count and every time you come up one short because he has always wandered somewhere else. he is always smiling but never doing what he should be though i am not sure he is aware of it. and recently he has learned to copy EVERYTHING you say. so there he was next to me and over and over he was saying miss sami miss sami in his high little voice. i kept saying what but looking at the boy in front of me still sad about his mom. finally he reached over grabbed my face so i looked at him. he said "miss sami" very calmly then as fast as he could he said "chuckie cheese". this is when i lost it i couldnt help but laugh at the day i just had. and it all came down to chuckie cheese
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