Inspiration...

So I've been looking for inspiration to write a new post, hence my extended absence from my blog. So you're probably thinking, "Marquita you've found inspiration, that's why you're posting now!" Sadly my friends, this is not the case. I've found little, as of late, that truly inspires me. I've been waiting and waiting for something really cool to happen. Something that makes my breath catch and my heart skip a beat. Something that knocks my socks off. But, alas, I'm left with no grand wonders that make me cry to the heavens out of sheer beauty.

But then I started to think. What is truly inspiring? Truth, hope, and faith. These are the things that inspire me. The truth that is produced from love, the hope that it will endure and the faith that perseverance is breathed from both of these. I have faith that I will persevere though lives most difficult and uninspiring moments. I have hope that my faith is not in vain. And I derive these truths from the One who is truth. Be blessed :)

Calling...

I really stink at keeping up my blog...

So I finished my first semester of grad school and I must say that I'm very proud of myself. 4.0 up in this piece! I worked hard when I needed to and for that, I am proud. For the times when I didn't work as hard as I could, I need to work on that. I really enjoyed my class and the cool things I learned but I am happy for the break.

I am having serious teaching withdrawals. I miss being in a classroom like nobody's business. Doing my observation hours this semester just reinforced that fact for me over and over again. So I am going to do something crazy. Something I've been saying I wouldn't do. I'm going to get certified to teach in NY and apply for jobs for next fall. I won't lie, talking to my fellow classmates who teach in the NY public school systems has made me a bit reluctant about this endeavor but I am well aware of the gifting I have when it comes to teaching. That's not being arrogant, I'm just stating a fact. I'm passionate about it, therefore I'm really good at it lol. So there it is, my next big move. Pray for me, wish me luck, INVEST in me!

I miss this SO HARD!

Enough said...

AMEN!!!

Metaphors...

Over the past few weeks I have been fortunate enough to rediscover my love of running. When I talk to most people they go, "Oh, good for you! I hate running. I don't know how you do it." Well to be honest, I don't know how I do it either. I just do. But what I do know is that when I get up and moving, I experience exhilaration and feel completely fearless. With each step I take, I feel as though I am pounding out anxiety and worry. I'm defeating insecurities and embracing strength and confidence. But the beauty of this is that I am never alone. I have an amazing running partner, Alison Stauver, who encourages me and helps me dig deep to finish the run. When you have a friend who truly believes in your ability to conquer any hill that you encounter on your run, you've got it made! But if you think about it, running is just a really great metaphor for life.

I don't know a successful person who hasn't made a decision everyday to get up and get moving. How many stagnant billionaires have you heard of? I will give you a minute to count...oh what's that you say, none? Well duh! And how many of those people were successful on their own? Somewhere along the way, they had to have an Alison Stauver who was their ride or die chick. That friend who got up with them at the butt crack of dawn and ran fearlessly next to them. Besides those who have achieved wealth from their endeavors, how about those who have changed the lives of others through their philanthropic gestures? How many of them just sat around thinking, man I sure wish I could help someone in need? None of them! The truth is, we must constantly be on the move. Life is not for those who tire easily and complain of aching limbs or for those who think they can do it all by themselves. It's for the true runners. Those who say in their hearts and minds that no matter what, they will continue to run this marathon that is life. They will continue to be fearless and run hard in spite of the blood, sweat and tears that run down their faces. And they won't be under the misguided thinking that they run the race alone. They will crave and embrace deep friendships that keep them running and build them up as the race continues.

But even this runner knows that I must also seek the strength of something outside of myself and others. Because on those days when my back is weak and my soul is tired, and no encouragement from my friend seems to help, this runner knows that it takes the supernatural power of Christ to keep my feet moving. His unconditional, unchanging love provides the strength I need to get moving every day.

My run serves a greater purpose...

The Blessing of Passion...

"Hi Mrs.Farmer! how r u 2 day?? I wish u didn't leave!!!!! At shcool is great so far. _____came back 2 Camey Elem. about a week ago.Someday this week is dress up like twin with someone,i wish u was there cause we could be twins!!! Come and see us when you hav a chance.Email me back as soon as possible. Bye"

 

"Dear Ms.Farmer,
  You stealed My heart. You lead the class. I meet you in the first day of school. You look like a butiful     deer. You where they're when I needed You. You beat all of my favorite teachers. You allway's good  looking in what ever you wear. to me Your weight is 80 pounds. a smart man would propose with a ring. You are as tough as steel and strong like led."

 

Just thought I would share two notes from former students of mine. Whenever I feel completely inadequate as a teacher, these types of things remind me of why I wake up every morning. I also have a huge folder of cards and pictures that my kids have made for me that make my heart smile. :) It truly is a blessing to find passion in life and an even bigger blessing when you get to bask in your passion day after day. I love teaching!!

 

"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own." -- Nikos Kazantzakis
 

Baby steps...

I'm finding that one of the most freeing things in the universe is making a goal and taking the necessary steps to accomplish that goal. As I was talking to my dear friend Manny, I begin to share with him my desire to travel and see the world. While talking, I decided to take action and begin making steps to make this dream a reality. I opened a new travel account and thus have began saving money to live my dream! In planning this giant financial endeavor, I've decided to take on the "by any means necessary" attitude of the debatable great Malcolm X. I will be in Paris next summer by any means necessary. I will travel to Thailand next November/December by any means necessary. And while in Thailand, I will ride an elephant by any means necessary. Consequently, this means cutting out unnecessary things in my life. I'm saying goodbye to my "hundreds of dollars" make-up obsession. Adios to my I-can't-live-without-new-clothes-every-week mentality. And pakah to my lazy need to eat out for lunch AND dinner. (For you uncultured people, that last one was Russian).

Now of course this all means tons of prayer on my part and provision on the Lord's part. I'm aware that I can't go anywhere without his leading but what I've learned in my 28 years of life is that all you can do is lay your plans out before Him and pray that he blesses them. And I believe he does. Unless my plans were to become a prostitute in order to raise funds for these trips. Which, by the way, I am not doing. No worries. So I am embarking on taking baby steps to make my desires reality. Pray with me and keep me in your thoughts :)

Exploring...

I haven't posted in a while and for this I apologize. It seems that my life has gotten a bit busier with each passing week that I am here. We moved into our new apartment. I was finally able to shed the constraints of the couch and now I can toss around wildly in my own bed. I've done some decorating and I must say, my room is pretty adorable. Maybe not adorable, just me. I begin my volunteer time at the Boys Club of New York, made new friends, got my first NY paycheck, wrote my first grad school paper and even had friends visit from back home. This place is really starting to feel like home.

Living here is like a dream. It really has awakened my desire for travel. I want to try new foods that I'm pretty sure I won't like, I want to see things that are older than anything I've ever seen, I want to learn about new religions/belief systems (not because I'm looking to convert but because there is wisdom to be gained from it), I want to stand on a mountain and cry like a baby because of the beauty, I want to know about suffering around the world and what I can do to love an encourage those who are living in it. I'm tired of excuses and limitations. I'm just going to go! I've compiled a list of places I am planning to go, I've just got to figure out my timeline and the specifics of each trip.

1. Thailand
2. India
3. Kenya
4. Rome
5. Paris
6. London
7. Guatemala
8. Canada
9. Russia (again)
10. Greece
11. Spain
12. Ireland
13. Egypt
14. Romania (because I loved their gymnasts lol)
15. Philippines
16. The Indian Ocean

So here's the question, who's going with me and where are we going first?!