"Smiling is my favorite." Actually, no, full disclosure, I think laughing is my favorite.

Every semester my students ask me if they are my favorite. Like every good teacher, I tell them I don't have favorite students or class periods. I did receive a huge compliment from a student today who admitted that despite her constant competition with a classmate to be my favorite student, I'm the first teacher who she has ever believed when I say I don't have favorites. She went on to tell me that she recognized that I show my love for students in different ways because they are all different. After a crazy stressful week, that was a big uplift to my spirit.[...]

Growing up, I always loved the laid back feel of Thanksgiving day. From my mom's perspective, I think there was a lot more stress, but for me, the holiday meant just hanging out with extended family and getting to put black olives on my fingers before eating them. The German calendar doesn't recognize this holiday, but my international small group took special note of the date this Thursday as the two Dutch, two Canadian, and four English friends (though one was missing for the actual event) went out of their way to celebrate American thanksgiving with me as the lone representative of the country. I was especially blessed to enjoy the time with these friends as they are patient with my perpetual slowness and let me feel relaxed when I can't accomplish much more than walking through the door after a few steep steps.[...]

"Hold your left arm out like walking on a tight rope."

Cindy held my right arm secure as she instructed me and I took timid steps forwards. This week we spent several days again practicing without the sticks taking cautious steps with my braces and her arms for support. We paced up and down the auditorium, and I couldn't help grinning as I felt my gait adjust as I was holding more weight over my legs and less on my arms. [...]

I want to be known for one thing, and one thing only: my love for Jesus.

My Jesus has blessed me with the opportunity to live overseas and teach third culture kids and interact with a diverse group of people as I teach theology. In this complicated world, I’ve learned and grown and made many mistakes along the way, and some weeks come with more frustrations or celebrations than others. This week in particular had a wide range of emotions.[...]

I'm about to start watching V for Vendetta as I do every November 5th, and the oft quoted refrain "Remember, remember..." generally reminds people of violence and government overthrow and all that fun stuff, but the word "remember" alone doesn't have those connotations. [...]

I did a lot this week, but there didn't seem to be much to tie it all together at the weekend. I've spent most of today thinking about how I can succinctly write about it wrapped up with a catchy title and perhaps a pun or allusion. I'm at a loss this week. It was super full, but the assorted successes of life aren't always strung together thematically.[...]

I gave my students a work period for their quarter project that's due next week, and although I assigned this project three weeks ago and had previously given a work day in class, I noticed a blank screen before one of my students on Friday. "Dude, what's the deal?" I asked this kid who I've noticed to be a hard worker despite his reputation for the reverse. He promised to work hard the rest of the period and over the weekend. "You'd better," I told him, "I'm expecting you to have one of the best projects." [...]

I love my job. I won’t ever do anything to jeopardize my teaching position because it provides me with the unique opportunity to speak truth into the lives of teenagers who are asking deep questions. Sometimes, however, I’m still caught off guard when they take me up on the offer to share life - when they hunt me down in their study hall to share concerns about their relationships or when they show up on my doorstep after school to laugh with me or when they have dinner with me and discuss Doctor Who fan theories.[...]

I have a pain in my butt - literally. It's been there for a week now. 

Last Sunday, I went for a walk after a nice refreshing sleep-in overdue from that previous week of restless nights. I felt so great, after a couple hours I went for another walk. During the second walk, my butt felt a little sore. "This is great!" I thought, "I don't usually feel much in my butt! I'm working my butt off so well, and now I've got some sensation of soreness after a good workout!"[...]

As I was reflecting on my week and wondering what to write, I noticed my physical recovery was overshadowed by some emotional drama. So naturally, I did something almost stupid today in order to have something to write about.[...]