I did it!

Today, my friends, I LEARNED TO RIDE A BIKE!

I always knew that there would come a day where I just...did it. Michael and I were driving around and i saw a lady on a bike, looking sporty and badass. I commented "I want to learn how to ride a bike soooo bad." So, with the help of Michael's spontaneity, we went to Wal-Mart, tried out a bunch of bikes, picked out a seat and helmet, and bought the baby. It's a BMX bike...closer to the ground for my security...and it's super-badass because we bought a noseless seat so that i don't complain of it "hurting my coochie."
I wobbled it around the parking lot. We met up with Andie at Starbucks and chatted a while about laundry and running. We went to Lowe's where Andie and I were silly taking pictures in the showers and running around imaginary objects, while Michael did grown-up stuff.


We went back to Michael's and broke out the bike. Michael gave me a push and I did it. I've never felt something like that feeling before. I was wobbly, but I AM THAT MUCH CLOSER TO MY TRIATHLON RIGHT NOW! Up and down the street I went. It was like flying. It was what I've been dreaming of for years. My life is much more complete. I can't wait to ride again tomorrow.

I went to a family gathering with Michael and then to the house of a 2nd grade teacher from Nava. Christina is a beautiful woman who has been a source of support and smiles this year. She was having a ladies' night tonight - we snacked on delicious pizza, salad, sushi, and ice cream. Christina, Brigitte from Denmark, Helene from France, Mindy, and I sat and talked about TV, food, being a transplant, and children growing up to be homo/transexual.

I laughed a lot today. And I learned to ride a bike. I totally rocked this Saturday's butt.

Feeeeelings

I feel untalented. I'm struggling with my uke and piano and singing and life.
I need to use these skills constantly. Yesterday I called my Daddy to thank him for the years and years of piano lessons even though I didn't practice. It's because he let me keep taking the lessons that I'm able to more easily do what I need to do day-to-day. I learned a lot in those years. My Daddy is awesome. Not only for my piano lessons and Macbook, but for always listening and loving me.

My kids are mean to me and each other. I knew that teaching would have a lot more to it than just teaching...but Dear Lord! Fighting, crying, rude rude rude, feeling hurt and killing the mood.
But today was nice...I marched in the Veterans' Day Parade with the 5th & 6th graders and they sang "Miss Echols's song." Touched my heart as they screamed..i mean sang it...around the plaza.

THERE IS TOO MUCH TO DO I'M OVERWHELMED AGGGGGGH.

I feel like a fatty

Patience

Sometimes I declare that I don't want to do this anymore...but that's not true. I just want to see that it all turns out alright. That by May, my chorus kids are going to miss me. That by May, I'll be re-venturing. That by May, I'll feel like I had a successful year of teaching with a job I'm going to enjoy next year...wherever in the world that may be. I'm homesick for my family and friends, but this is where I'm supposed to be. Or maybe Germany. but we'll see...

I'll admit I haven't been running. I'm so tired after school and there's planning and other stuff to do. I'm still aiming for a 5K on November 19th...though it's already snowing/freezing.

I bought a new beautiful black electric ukulele. It's my new baby. I feel like a rockstar.

That's the story. There's a lot more news. But it probably wouldn't be smart to share on the internet.