Stubborn

I know that many of you are wondering how I am doing. I was really sick the past week or so. All the traveling, no sleep, jetlang and being exposed to 250 new people, Gee, I got sick. My Northwest teammates found out stubborn I really am. I have a hard time taking care of myself and getting the sleep I needed to get better. Many of you already knew that, but you should "bless the hearts" of those that found that out this past week. They banned me to my room and took my phone away. (this is where you laugh)

I am not sick anymore and learning how to share and let things go. Yes, I am control freak and I have a save the world complex and I like doing things. Being EFY coordinator is forcing me to let it go. I thought I was doing well, but I need more work at it. Apparently, that is why I am doing EFY as a 30 year old.

Graduation Speech

Well, as promised, I am including my graduation speech. What an amazing and overall experience. I flew in Wed. evening, visited the school, took a small nap, return to graduation. Afterwards, a school board member, came up to me and told me I did a great job. I thanked him and later told my principal. My principal told me that Dr. Boyd has taught 35 years, be Superintent, and on the school board for many years. For him to say, that is the best graduation speech is has ever heard was MAJOR!
The Speech:
Graduation Speech

Wow, what an exciting day! I want you to really soak up this moment. Take a deep breath. You are done with high school. You have worked so hard and overcome so much to get here today. It is not a miracle, but the hard work of you, your parents, your friends, and teachers. Look around to see how many people care about you and are here to support and celebrate with you. I don’t want to talk long, because honestly everyone here came to see and hear from ya’ll not me.

The next step in life is scary, what to do after graduation or high school; job, career, school, there are so many options and choices. I wish I could lie to you and tell you how wonderful life is after high school. After high school, there are some great moments and great disappointments just like a roller coaster. How we handle the roller coaster ride is the important thing. I don’t have all the answers, but I want you to remember a three things that have been helpful for me during my roller coaster ride:

1. When I taught here, I had a phrase, “I never said it would be easy, only that it was worth it”. I am here to remind you that it was worth it. Perseverance is persisting through a situation with difficult opposition. You have persevered. I am sure there were days, you wanted to give up. Giving up would have been the easy way out. You have shown everyone that you can endure through difficult times and situations. You are strong and you should be proud of yourself. You have come so far and done it. Now, you already have one tool to help you- which is Perseverance. You know how to persevere through difficult times, people, assignments, etc… Hard work pays off, that is why you are here today. Nobody graduating here today, had it easy getting here. Some of you cried and whined, others quit and came back. You worked hard and got it done.

2. Second,” Knowledge is Power.” I realize that is a clique for a teacher to talk about never stop learning, but don’t stop learning. Learning is not just going to college or a technical school it includes reading books, magazines, or newspapers. Be savvy citizens of the community, be involved and aware. Knowledge can get you better jobs, but it also allows you NOT to be taken advantage by others. Knowing the details of your lease, loans, jobs, contracts, etc… Make wise decisions because you looked at all the options. Also, knowledge can be learning and understanding those people different from you and helping learn to deal with difficult people. The unknown is scary, but don’t let it hold you back from your potential, desires, or goals. Graduate school scared the life out of me. I didn’t think I was good enough or smart enough to get in. I was terrified to leave my safe, comfortable place at Renaissance High School, where everyone knew my name. BUT, I was not going to the let the unknown squash my potential or desire to improve myself. Don’t let it stop you. Your potential is worth the risk. You are worth the risk.

3. Third and Last (I know you are counting), “Be Polite.” I know that might be a difficult task, sometimes. It is difficult for me. Who wants to be polite or kind to someone who is yelling in your face? Calling you names? Or cheated you? I have always believed that the world needs more kindness and begins with me and you. Even when you are being treated badly, staying calm and polite, (but firm) more people are likely to listen to you. The old saying that “you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Being polite can open doors for you. The delivery of your words is everything. It shows that you have self-control and respect for others, which is quality that friends, employers, and employees want to be around. Your attitude can change how people treat you. One person can make a difference. Kindness is contagious, Spread it.

On a roller coaster, you scream, you cry, you laugh, you are speechless, you are scared; these same things happened to you in life. Remember those three things: Perseverance, Knowledge is Power, and Be Polite. P^3 (perseverance, power, polite.) These tools can help you in the next phase of your life or on a roller coaster. Thank you for your time and Congratulations graduates of Renaissance High School!

Since Australia

Well, I have finally finished posting my pictures from Australia. I have flown back to the States. I flew to Seattle, Washington to give a graduation speech at the high school which I taught last year. I will include a story and the speech in the next blog. I am grateful to have gone and spent time with my parents and had a wonderful experience. I have started EFY in the northwest. Having a blast.

Travel Log #7

Make First and Last Meat Pie.

The capital building

Inside the capital building's ballroom. (that is a huge tapestry, not painting)

The roof of the capital and the view.


Wall of rememberance

Ugliest thing I have seen. It is a sheep.

Travel Log #6

I love this word

Sea Cliff Bridge

Cool Bridge

Huge a Tree
Before going down, the view
Going down
Very Afraid
made it safely
Back up

Travel Log #5

Traveling on the Queen's birthday (a holiday) down the south coast.

Very Windy

My mom stayed in the car.



I hiked to Fritzroy Falls

A real live Buddhist Temple.

Travel Log #4

I went to Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Travel Log #3

More pictures of me in Sydney


Love Lighthouses


Pacific Ocean from the other side-look another lighthouse :)

Sydney at Night




Exhausted, riding home on the ferry

Fun Words

Words that I love since I have been Australia.
Forms (sounds like farms)
Vessel (sounds like vissel)
Rubbish (meaning trash)
Holiday (meaning vacation)
Ute (meaning truck)

Apparently Americans say words use HARD R's.

Car is not CARRRRR, but CAr
Harbour is not Harbrrrrr, but Harba.

Things I love:
Foot ferries that go up and down the river
Footy Ball (crazy form of rugby)
all school children wear uniforms and wear cool little hats for recess
driving on the left side of the road (this is hard to get used to especially in the front passenger seat.)
Thousands of foreigners here, mainly Asians, also Kurds, Turks, middle Easterners, of course Polynesians of all kinds.
Polynesians love to hug (love it)
talking to everyone in the church office building
Fresh food market in the malls

Don't Love
Tiny Fridges
Tiny Bathrooms
Not many great T.V. Shows
driving and parking around the malls (always crowded)
Weird crazy shopping carts (hard to control)
Everything is expensive
all Stores (except grocery stores)close early at 5 pm (except thurs. nights until 9 pm). HUGE shoping night, seriously crowded.

Travel Log #2

This past weekend, my parents and I explored downtown Sydney. The Harbor Bridge, the opera house, barracks, the rocks, manly beach(which had a food/wine festival) and palm beach. They have foot ferries up and down the river and across the harbor.
I will quickly share my favorite moment so far. (it still makes me giggle) My parents are renewing their visas and had to be fingerprinted at the police station by the officer. He was making sure my parents had everything before they started and ask my dad if they had their "farms." My dad doesn't hear too well and ask him to repeat himself at least two or three times. The officer was getting probably thought it was an American who didn't understand his accent, because he kept asking for the "farms" (forms). Finally, it all worked out. I just kept giggling because he said "farms."
Another favorite phrase learned from my ferries ride was, "Please dispose of your rubbish thoughtfully." Make sure you place your trash on the ground with care. heheh. Enjoy the pictures.

Pictures of Colette's Wedding

We have Pictures from her wedding. It happened right before I left for Australia.