Cool Cucumber

Oh, yeah, and it came with a great TV inside also.

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This photo of my youngest brother and I was taken this weekend at our parents’ house. While we’ve always had a youngest/oldest child bond, I’ve never thought we looked much alike until this past year (and doesn’t this picture say it all!). I love this picture because it represents the first evening ritual when we visit the parents… first eating a home cooked meal (always with warm homemade bread), then lingering over coffee, tea, and desserts for hours. Ahhhh…

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I found a great new song today on the CD I got from my friend Melissa. I absolutely love Death Cab for Cutie and Postal Service (same lead singer), and I’ve been glued to this album nonstop for about two weeks. My new favorite song, you ask? “Brand New Colony”… Joyful, a little ethereal, and dreamy. Here’s my favorite part:

I’ll be the grapes fermented,
Bottled and served with the table set in my finest suit
Like a perfect gentlemen.
I’ll be the fire escape that’s bolted to the ancient brick
Where you will sit and contemplate your day.
I’ll be the waterwings that save you if you start drowning
In an open tab when your judgement’s on the brink.
I’ll be the phonograph that plays your favorite
Albums back as your lying there drifting off to sleep…
I’ll be the platform shoes and undo what heredity’s done to you…
You won’t have to strain to look into my eyes.
I’ll be your winter coat buttoned and zipped straight to the throat
With the collar up so you won’t catch a cold.

I want to take you far from the cynics in this town
And kiss you on the mouth.

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I came home from school at 8:00 PM tonight. (We had a 12-hour day due to conferences after school). I don’t feel exhausted like I normally do, but I feel like I’m missing something. I checked the mailbox. Nothing but advertisements. Checked e-mails. Nothing. Checked the fridge. I’m not hungry. So the question here is, ‘What am I missing?’ I feel like there’s an itch that I can’t scratch but I don’t know where it is. I don’t even know why this is bothering me, but I feel strangely like my head is still “at school”. I feel bad for some of my kids in my class, feel like I’m not doing enough to help them feel confident, or challenge them, or love them. I wish I could diffuse the pressure and disapproval that some of them feel from their parents. Wish I could give the anxious boy who broke down in sobs twice during his conference a hug.

Maybe I should pray?

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Silliness- that’s what this is. I’m trying to avoid grading writing assignments right now. It seems like the kids either REALLY get it or don’t have a clue about writing a paragraph. Frustrating. So, instead… ta-dah!

I found this on Ali’s Page-

Do a Google image search of the following and post the first (or favorite) result for each:
* The name of the town where you were born
* The name of the town where you live now
* Your name
* Your grandmother’s name (just pick one)
* Your favorite food
* Your favorite drink
* Your favorite song
* Your favorite smell

Here are my results:

The town I live in now:

(similar looking… hmm)

My name:

My maternal grandmother’s name:

My favorite food:

My favorite drink:

My favorite song:

My favorite smell:

Enjoy!

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Question here for the blogging public: Does a “five-alarm fire” mean that five fire engines show up? IF SO– there was a two-alarm fire just across the street from me this evening.

I was making myself dinner (a new and fascinating hobby- steak!) when I saw flashing red lights out of the corner of my eye. Something about the lights just struck pure terror in me; as in, ‘What’s wrong? Something is wrong.’ I looked out the window just to see the second fire engine show up and the firefighters start talking to the guy living across the street (the unit with the light on in my previous post). Some firefighters rushed into the building, and before long, I could see them steadying a ladder against the chimney of his building and then messing around up there (flashlights, spraying stuff, fans; firefighter stuff). My dog, cat, and I all crept upstairs quietly, turned the lights off, and looked down (for a better view) at the action below. The dog and cat both “stood” looking out- putting their front legs on the window sill for a better look outside… I wish I had a picture of it.
Anyway, it was a simple chimney fire and the engines left after 45 minutes. Scary, nonetheless.

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This photo really doesn’t do the weather justice. It’s absolutely horrible out there. The wind is blowing violently against the trees and my building resonates with these banging sounds.

The school district called a 2-hour delay, so I don’t have to go in until 10:00.

But… I wanted a snow day!

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Posted Thursday, by Becky:

Even though I’ve worked so hard to learn the culture, there are still times when I make big mistakes. Then the judgement of the people feels like a Religious spirit on Meth. (not that I really know what Meth does)This morning a waitress spilled a cup of coffee on a customer. I was watching as it happened. I made the mistake of gasping. In this culture ALL emotions are to be held inside. Everyone was aghast at how uncultured I am. Oops!

I wrote to Martie Sibert and told her that I was walking past an airline office. The thought crossed my mind that I could just hop on a plane and disappear. However, rather than being swallowed by a whale I would probably be swallowed by a hawk. I am holding on to the dream of how it will feel to have the home up and running.

Another obstacle we are encountering is the stigma of once having Fistula. Even though Martha is cured and doing well, if anyone finds out that she once had fistula the whole family will be ostracized from the community. It seems very cruel to me from my cultural vantage. We will need to be very careful with the women we help to keep the purpose of our home a secret.

Dr. Catherine told us a story of one woman who had lived in a dark room for NINE years. Her family threw a plate of food in at mealtimes. She had no human contact and no sanitation for NINE years. She is unable to be fully cured because of the long years with no treatment.

Another woman had been laying in bed with her legs curled underneath her for so long that she could not even move them. After her treatment and physical therapy she is fully cured.

This may be my favorite story. One woman lost five babies before birth. The sixth one caused a fistula. When she finished her treatment, Dr. Catherine told her to go find a new husband and when she could feel the movement, to come quickly to the hospital. It happened and she was able to deliver one healthy baby. Can you imagine her joy?

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Here’s two new photos of Royal, with his new favorite chew treat (hard to see in the photos)… it’s called the Everlasting Treat, and it also fits into a fun thing call the Everlasting Treat Ball.

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I was at a teacher meeting all day Monday when I met another teacher who had a GREAT watch on. I have decided that I NEED one now. All right, maybe I’ll wait until they go on sale at the Fossil outlet.

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