Thanksgiving

I'm thankful for a lot of reasons...

• I'm thankful for God. He's been with me for many years, and He always leads me the way that's best for me.
• I'm thankful for my family. Even though it's been a rough two years, I'm glad to have them. Plus, I'm glad to be around to see my little siblings grow.
• I'm thankful for a job. Some days are hard, but I'm glad I have a wonderful boss/principal, and I'm blessed with two APs too!
• I'm thankful for the people, teachers, I work with, because we are there for each other.
• I'm thankful for students. Some give me rough days, but I'm especially thankful for the ones who do their best and appreciate me as their teacher. I'm especially thankful for my 7th/8th period kids, who have been better than last year's group; they also are very special to me!
• I'm also thankful for God. He's my first and my last, my Alpha and Omega. He gave us Jesus to be our Savior, and He sent us the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter. If I had to decide on a friend (which would be a tiny list anyway), the Trinity, with God as the lead, would be my ultimate friend.

I think this video clip sums up how I feel about the ones I care about.

Cookies Make Everything Better

     I recently discovered Sesame Street's parody of Carly Rae Jepson's recent hit song, "Call Me Maybe." I don't know why but it was so humorous and cute that, for just a couple of minutes, I forgot about the recent worries and setbacks that have been occurring in my life lately.

A New Teacher's Prayer

Dear Lord,

I now know the timing just wasn’t right now.

But I am patient and can wait a little longer.

Prepare me a classroom which will be like a home.

Make it huge, make it comfortable, and supply it

with all of my needs!

Father, let my students enjoy their current teachers.

Let them strive beyond their goals.

Take good care of them and keep them safe.

But remind them to be ready for me!

Thank you for the journey so far.

I’ve cherished the moments that have gotten me here.

Ready my mind, and give me courage, as I

prepare for the fall’s new beginning!

I know my classroom waits beyond this hill,

and I’m walking as quickly as I can!

For not only my classroom waits for my appearance;

My students and school-family are gathered there too!

Soon, dear ones, we will meet at last.

Just be patient, because I am going by God’s timing.

But oh, what a day that day will be!

We will have fun and learn plenty; our brains will grow strong!

And we’ll be there together, especially when rays of sunshine 

turn into cloudy storms.

Dear Father, I can’t wait for our new journey – when I officially 

call myself ‘Teacher.’

Keep me safe and give me wisdom along the way.

And let me follow the examples you gave.

Because, if anyone wants to be a great teacher, all they have 

to do is model after you – the best Teacher there ever was!

Amen! :)

Art I Created: A Look Back!

My Created Art

     Way back in the beginning of R. Andrew's Corner, I posted about art that I had created in the past. I believe the web site that I had my photos uploaded to ended, because I remember deleting the post altogether due to the links no longer working. Well, I was looking back at my photos and I thought I'd share them again, especially ones that I never got around to showing. 

     Drawing is special to me, but it is hard! I love creating with my hands, but drawing comes at a difficult price just like writing does - it takes a toll on me. I don't know why but tapping into my creative self is a challenge, and the stubborn person that I am tries to procrastinate until I force myself into drawing or painting or even writing stories. I mean, I can see the art, or hear my characters and know their stories, but even beginning them is a trial because there is this blockage that attempts to stand in the way of myself and the creation in my mind. So, when there's finally an opportunity to open up this skill, I cherish the product that came out of it, no matter if others find little worth from it. 

     I know I'll never be an artist or an illustrator, but I'm still proud of what was created from my mind to my hands. These are just a few! 

One of my originals. I'm in the blue chair!

Characters in love...or in feud. Originally done with charcoal but improved from a software program. Was a potential art project for Art Appreciation class in Spring 2008.

A baby donkey I drew in Children's Literature class in 2010.

Backside of my Final Exam project for Art Appreciation class in Spring 2008.

Front side of my Final Exam project for Art Appreciation class in Spring 2008.

Randomness created from a software program...Circa probably 2004/2005?

Another randomness created from a software program...Circa probably 2004/2005?

Art project for my Creative Expression class in Spring 2010.

Illustration of a portrait of my great-grandmother, for her 77th or 79th birthday. Made probably in 2000 or 2002...

Recoloring and improvements of the original drawing. Done in 2010 from a software program.

Drawing of my left hand during my Art Appreciation class in Spring 2008.

Sequel to the drawing that I did below...

Made this in 2006...Was shocked myself at his face after finishing it...

Created from a software program in 2007.

Updated version from the above. Revised in March 2012.

Illustration from my children's book that I wrote in 2010.

Random drawing during Children's Literature class in Spring 2010.

A place dear to me. Created in 2009.

First Days Project

     Way back a year ago, I took one of my final college courses before starting my Student Teaching semester last fall. The course was titled Classroom Management and we education majors were required to create a display revolving around the "First Days of School" theme. I randomly chose third grade, since it was my go-to grade level when writing lesson plans, and I called my hypothetical students Shining Stars. Until recently, I had forgotten about some unique things I created in this PowerPoint presentation, most notably my Classroom Creed. 

     The Creed was a set of rules I had created for a previous assignment, but this time around I wanted the classroom rules to be more than just written expectations. I wanted them to mean something, so I rearranged the rules into a simple creed which still means something to me, even after a year of revising it. I truly feel that one day, if given the opportunity to be blessed with a classroom and students to care for, I will hang this very creed on my wall! Well, the thought of my Creed sparked an interest in capturing some of the PowerPoint slides from the project and share them on this blog. Therefore, feel free to view the following images, especially my Classroom Creed!

Baking cupcakes

Yesterday, I was in the mood and decided to make some cupcakes. Unlike a few days ago, when I made some marble-cupcakes, I decided to make these special by applying frosting on them and using the frosting tools aside from just a spoon. The cake mix was red velvet, and the frosting was strawberry icing. They tasted okay. The end!

Bacon and Dogs!

Clip-art from Microsoft Office

     So, this morning, I was craving for some bacon for breakfast. I hadn't eaten any bacon for a long while, and I knew that there was some turkey bacon in the freezer. While cooking the bacon, one of my dogs ("Cinnamon") walked into the kitchen and could smell that I was cooking bacon. I could tell from her puppy-dog eyes that she was craving some bacon also, and I immediately felt a jingle coming along. 

     Now, I must say that, being someone who fancies humor a lot (I know, shocking!), I kind of established a habit of creating voices for my two small dogs. Don't worry, I'm not insane! Early on, it started out just for fun, to annoy/entertain family members, but over the years their voices have been a defining distinction about the two that the voices seem to match their own personality. For instance, Cinnamon is more laid back and always resembles an elderly grandmother in her actions, so her "voice" is slow and deep, like a very old grandmother. Chance is more active and quirky-looking, so her "voice" is fast, high, and she's more prone to "say" something off the wall. Well, I'm no dog whisperer, but since I sort of know them so well, the voices just come freely and strangely matches their actions so well that what once was entertaining to my family members now has become weird because they say it's like I can read the two dogs' minds (yeah, right)! Sometimes I'm told I'm in the wrong profession, that I should be a voice animator instead of a teacher! What's even more freaky is that the dogs know when their "voice" is used, because they'll stare at me (probably thinking that I have no clue what they're really thinking, and that their voice doesn't really sound how I portray it)!

     Well, I felt in the spirit this morning, so I started thinking of a jingle about bacon, in Cinnamon's voice. Don't judge me! Well, this is what I came up with:

Bacon!

Bacon, it’s so yummy!

Bacon, in my tummy!

I want a slice of bacon.

Please give me some more bacon.

It leaves me with a hankerin’

For more bacon!

     It was actually nice to do that again, since it has been a while since I attempted their voices. I have to admit, it is fun! I mean, just to do their voice and see their pitiful stare is the biggest reason I do it, because it's as if they're saying, "Oh, keep trying, buddy!" Sometimes, I think about writing stories revolving around the two having these outstanding adventures...then I think about the many books with similar ideas and reconsider. Perhaps one day, though, I'll write a story with them, just to say I did! Those two mean the world to me, and I hope they'll be around for many years to come (which is saying something, considering Cinnamon will be eleven years old this year). Here's a photo of the two: Chance is the blonde, while Cinnamon is the brunette.

Sleep

Clip-art from Microsoft Office

          Sleep

        By R. Andrew

       The memories that I keep

      run rampant, magically, into

stories that were never meant to be.

But when I am asleep,

all problems seem to cease.

All sorrows turn into joy.

The comfort that I find,

slips from me every time whenever

my soul awakes.

The darkness that consumes my rest,

blankets my silhouette.

While I sleep, it is my greatest escape.

My Book: The New Day

So, a long time ago, I posted a preview of my book, The New Day, on here when it was first published. I took it down due to insanity because I was afraid of my stories getting stolen and claimed as other people's (it's a fear I have). But, I've come to the realization that that idea simply isn't fair. It's not why I made the book. It's not why I posted most of those poems and short stories on this blog. I made those things so that others can enjoy them (if they did) and so that they can be helpful to others. Some of those poems dealt with feelings related to personal trials I've been through, and just writing most of them really have helped heal some deep wounds. And almost all of them deal with my faith and the need I yearn for in God and Jesus Christ. Even today, I look back on some of the poems and remember certain phrases and I feel better about a situation that I may be going through.

For example, I wrote the poem "I Will Worship You" a while back to combat against things I feared. To this day, there's a line that goes, "Stormy weather may make me frown, but my heart still wears it's crown. So long fear, you can't hold me down! With all my life, Lord, I will trust in you!"

I can't tell you  how at ease I feel when I quote that to myself to this day! I was once told by a friend that reading one of my poems really was empowering. That compliment gave me the strength to continue to share them with easy access. So, that is my plan. They'll go back up; on here or on my other blog, if they're not already. Because, I thank God for giving me this gift to write. Writing is my passion. It's one of my dreams (apart from teaching the little ones). And I have so many stories to tell! (I have a calling in me to reach young readers and young adults and change the way kids are being marketed in the publishing business, but, shhh, it's a secret!).

Nonetheless, I recommend, if you like the poems or short stories I've posted here, you might like to have them in book form. I, of course, won't receive any revenue (by choice, because it's not set up that way, and I don't want it any other way). You'd only be purchasing to have Blurb make you a book copy. By all means, though, print them off here if you like them (but some of them are revised in the book form). However, as someone who purchased the book form, I can say that I really love having them in a book form, and all under $10 (when you consider processing and shipping, which is cheap for a Blurb book)! I personally have the soft cover version, because I wanted to see my works in a book form (aside from being handwritten in a journal), and I just love the cream-colored paper that comes with the book form. Plus, the picture on the front and back cover was taken at a wonderful place I worked at, so it makes it more special, to me at least!

The point of this random blog entry, if you've enjoyed my poems or short stories like I have, thank you! And, if you'd like them in a book form (for your own enjoyment; I won't see any revenue from any sales) then you can click on the link within the book preview down below.

I know this was random, but this was on my heart so I thought I'd mention it here!

The New Day by R. Andrew | What's Your Story?

Why?

     Why do I continue to do this thing called "blogging?" Because a) it's fun, writing and sharing - I understand why some call it "therapeutic"... and b) it helps me know that I exist...Just being honest. 

     I also updated my alternate blog to include a movie suggestion from a movie that I really enjoyed watching the other day...head on over there to read it (I thought it seemed pointless to post it here, since I could easily link to it).