Living The Good Life

I have typed out the start of this post, and erased it, so many times, my backspace button is starting to lose its letters.  Yes, part of the reluctance may have to do with the fact that I am a third generation Idahoan, born and raised in a state that has been painted red with Teflon.  And yet, I still tend to fall a smidge left of that center line.  But mainly, this post has been a long time coming because I can't seem to fully put into words the emotion, excitement, and wonder I am still feeling after last week's historic election.   I think I will just leave it to my friend Sarri's eloquence.  Read this , be moved, be thankful, and be hopeful. Congratulations America...

A couple weeks ago, slipped in the far reaches of my mailbox, I found a note that took me back to the good ol' days of elementary school.   You know what I'm talking about. Remember how you would just be sitting at your desk, one leg pumping back and forth, pencil eraser nudging your bottom lip, as you tried to puzzle out those mind-boggling multiplication tables?  And then, out of the corner of your eye, you would see Andy passing a note to Melissa, who would then pass it on to Mark, who would then palm it off to you right before Mrs. Nelson turned around from the blackboard.  Your name would be written all in cursive and curly-q's on the clumsily folded paper.  Carefully, stealthily, you unfold the paper to find: Well, InterAmerican sent me a 'check yes or no' note, and it raised the same sensation of anxiety that those old love notes of yesterday used to inspire.  Instead of the traditional, "do you like me?" question, it was the "will you continue...

I'm a big fan of my friend Jill's blog.  She and her family are currently living in Japan and she is documenting all the family adventures they are experiencing during their time in Asia.  She recently wrote that she hasn't been blogging for awhile because things are starting to feel normal for her in Japan, there is the "been there, done that" feeling about the things she comes across on a day to day basis.  I know exactly what she is talking about...I'm starting to feel that way about Ecuador.  It isn't that I don't know I am having the experience of the lifetime, it is just that the experience is starting to feel like normal life.  That is, until this past weekend. This last weekend, which marked the first break in 9 weeks of school (crazy, right?  No one is supposed to spend that much time with 6th and 7th graders in one pop), Dave and I had one of those Ecuador adventures that makes us hardly believe we are lucky enough to live this life.  Thursda...

Our very talented friend over at The Bat Ranch , has once again started his 31 Doodles to celebrate the spooky month of October.  We here at the Richert Ranch are big fans and wanted to let you in on this web-based art show.  Check them out, I can guarantee you won't want to miss a doodle! And our artist of the week (or two) is Ingrid Michaelson .  She's great, yes?  I found her while stress-shopping on iTunes.  Is there anything better than stress-shopping at iTunes?  Instant gratification for only $1.  Beautiful

I had heard rumors, old legends and folktales, but I had always believed they were mere stories of warning, meant to keep me on my toes and always be aware.  But no,  this past week I discovered that the myths, passed down from generation to generation, were absolutely true... You can be pushed to the brink of total insanity by the eye-rolls, whines, and hrumphs of teenagers. Before I say anymore, let me say this:   Mom and Dad, I am so very, very sorry for those tumoultous years roughly between 1991 and 1996.  Seriously...so very sorry. This past week I, along with two other IA teachers, took twenty-one sixth and seventh graders on a four day field trip.  That's right, four days .  For over 80 hours, we endured the arms-crossed, heavy sigh, glare stance that only a teenage girl has down to perfection, the bodily function noises that only teenage boys can manufacture, and the high-pitched, naselly, and constant whine that all dogs across South America can hear.  We held our ground ...

I hate to make this post all about teaching, you know Dave hears enough about it at home, but the fact of the matter is that school has started and, therefore, completely taken over my life.  In the states I had an outlet for this kind of obsession, it was called a team.  We all had the same kids, met everyday, worked together, and daily had the chance to share (some may say vent) the going ons of the day. That is not so here.  I am my team.  It really can't be helped; our school is pretty small with only 200 or so kids for grades nursery to 12.  Every secondary teacher has five different subjects they are prepping for each day.  There really isn't time to talk over ideas, share discoveries, or spill the more shocking things kids do.  (You remember Alex, the kid who actually shocked himself?  Good times) So, lucky you--you get to hear all about what is on the mind of an overseas middle school teacher.  I'll try to keep it short. What I am loving right this moment: **   Mech...

Currently making my heart melt... My niece, Gabriella Faith Miller. She's beautiful, yes? Congratulations Jodi, Casey, and Blake! We love you all.