Friday, September 18, 2015

Doors and Rain and Beaches and Students

Willow's Week in Friday Fave Fives.
Hosted by Susanne at Living to Tell the Story

1. Rain!  Did you hear that it rained in Southern California this week??  We really don't know what to do when it rains but we're always happy when it does.  This buzzfeed video made me laugh!


2. I teach homeschool kids how to write.  That's my job.  But teaching kids is more than just a job to me.  Teaching is my opportunity to 'change the world', to influence children (and their parents).  I love it when moms and older kids return to the upper classes and take the time to drop in and see me, give me hugs.  I check how tall they've grown--I'm always the shortest person.  When I greet the new parents, I hope I encourage the ones who know they have children with learning challenges.  Making a difference with these students is the real reason I teach and it encourages me to see the hope in their eyes.

3. I found this quote by Mother Teresa:

Let no one ever come to you
          without leaving better and happier.
Be the living expression of God's kindness:
Kindness in your face,
Kindness in your eyes,
 Kindness in your smile.

4. How I love living near the ocean.  One evening, we took our dinner to the beach.  We sat in our car during dinner, then walked a bit to enjoy the sunset.




5. I have a thing for doors and gates and windows.  I love photographing them.  This week at The Professor's university, I walked past this door on the way to the library.  There's just something mysterious and at the same time inviting about doors, especially ones left ajar.


And you? How was your week?  Were there open doors, inviting sunsets, encouraging words?

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ahh...I miss those views!
Those kids are blessed to have you as a teacher for sure!
Enjoy your weekend.

Faith said...

I DID have some encouraging words said to me this week by a district supervisor of special ed and it made my faves list!! I also enjoy teaching for many of the reasons you state although I deal with public school children and now...ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN!(i'm not a fan). Common core standards for kindergarten are not much different than the ones are very high achieving school district already had in place so all is good here in eastern NY. But I'm hearing that not all districts like the changes.

I love the ocean too and look forward to going every summer and fall. Last year we even went in the spring. This year we will go at Thanksgiving again...it's been a couple of years since we did that. I love your photos.

Have a blessed weekend!

Gracie Saylor said...

The video is funny! We got some rain here as well, but though some folks were grateful, others were blase and I saw no one mimic the behavior in the video :) I admire your reasons for teaching, the Mother Theresa quote, and your views of the sea! Happy Weekend xx

Mereknits said...

That video was so funny. Wonderful Friday Favs.
Hugs,
Meredith

Barbara H. said...

I did hear about the CA rain! Wonderful!

I admit I don't notice doors that often, but that one does exude an air of mystery.

I am trying not to envy your proximity to the ocean. :-) But I love the views you share and enjoy them vicariously.

How nice for some of your students and their parents to come back and see you! Sounds like a rewarding job/ministry/endeavor.

Karen said...

Beautiful quote by Mother Teresa. And I always love seeing pictures of the ocean!

nikkipolani said...

Ah, yes, that glorious rain woke me early Tuesday morning and had me smiling all day, even though I had to step in a few puddles to get from the parking lot to the office. How lovely that you are close enough to the ocean to run out for a meal and back ;-)

Susanne said...

That video cracked me right up. I am glad that you guys did get some rain though. What lovely beach and ocean pictures. For a landlocked Albertan like me, I look at those pics any day! I have a whole pinterest category just for doors!

Susan said...

Funny video. Rain = freaked out people whereas an earthquake = no biggie. ha ha ha

How refreshing to have dinner with an ocean view and then to take a walk along the shore. Now that's spoiling!

Love the MT quote, It reminds me of our girl scout troop and how we had to always leave an area better than we found it. So why not apply that to people as well.

Have a great week, Willow.

Kathie said...

Love oceans and unique doors! The doors always make me think of Narnia :) I love the MT quote - that's a good one to put into practice. thanks Willow!