Back to School, Back to School

After a week-and-a-half of waiting, I am once again, up at 5am preparing for a big day in the "real world."  Unfortunately, this is not enough real world to actually get paid for, even though I am doing more work than I will probably ever do as a paid teacher.

Over the past few weeks though, I've gotten the great opportunity to see just how much God has blessed me and my family.  Once again, though Baton Rouge has some severe damage in some places, my family and I were protected through a rough storm.  If postponing a no-name football game is the only sacrifice that had to be made, then I guess we came out okay.  During the time "off,"  I was able to catch up with some friends I don't get to see often, and watch the Red Sox play for the second time this season.  I'd call that blessing. 

We were then told that we probably wouldn't get to start interacting with students again until the 15th, which broke my heart.  We knew we'd have to report to school today, but the kids wouldn't be around until at least Monday.  This is bad, very bad, for those of us who have to log x-amount of hours in front of a class.  Then, the news reported last night that my school would be reopening on Thursday!  

In the midst of the extra couple of days "off" I got,  I took the opportunity to catch up on my running and biking, you know, get back into the routine after my week hiatus in Shreveport.  Last night, I was in the middle of one of those really really rediculously great runs, clear mind, good pace, etc...  I stopped to do some arm workouts on the big steps downtown that go from the top of the levee to the river, and to get some water at one of those nasty water-fountains.  Upon the start of my return run, I realized that my car key was not in my key pocket.  I frantically searched all over the area, thinking it must have fallen out while I was doing dips or something, but it was nowhere to be found.  So on the 3.5 mile return run, I kept my eyes on the ground, and thought of the extra distance I was going to have to run home to use the phone if my car-key was not around, and how angry my parents would be that they would have to drive to Baton Rouge to bring the spare.  About 1/4 mile before the end, there was my key, shining on the pathway, in the most obscure of places.  What a blessing.  It really helped me to refocus, and realize how amazing God's grace is.  

And Still, I sit

Friday morning, I woke up having never seen Josh Beckett in person.  Friday night, I went to bed having been only feet away from him a few hours earlier.

First thing Friday morning, KenyB and I drove to Dallas, and I convinced him to park his car so we could take the train into the city.  I hate to go to a big city without experiencing their public transportation systems (it's just one of my things).  Kenneth of course, hated this idea, but somehow he got by.  

Upon our arrival in the downtown are, we went directly to the only tourist attraction in the DFW area I've ever cared to see: Dealy Plaza.  Now forty-seven years ago, Dealy Plaza would have been just another park in a big city, but now, it is the site of one of my favorite historical events to study: The Kennedy Assassination.  For those who know me well, you know that I am ALL ABOUT Cold War America when it comes to history, so this was one of those places I absolutely had to visit.  

From there, we met up with Justin and fought traffic all the way up until fifteen minutes before gametime, when we FINALLY made it to The Ballpark at Arlington.  I then got the chance to see my favorite team for the second time this summer, only this time Beckett was pitching and we actually won!

Anyway, I am now back in the BR and it is a sad town.  Trees and power lines are down EVERYWHERE.  Some of my friends are not expected to have power for at least another TWENTY days, yes, twenty.  I feel very blessed to be in the part of town with underground power, and no trees in my yard.  As a result of this EBR Schools are cancelled until the 15th, and teachers don't have to report until the 10th, so I am taking in a couple of more days off.  Maybe I'll get around to organizing my room finally...  

I had a great run this morning, and I was once again reminded of just how much I love to run down the levee on a warm day.  I feel so fortunate to have grown up on the banks of the Mississippi, and to have had the chance to admire it every day.  It is one of the things I will miss most when I move for good.  For now, I'm going to enjoy my next few days off with a little extra running and biking time.  

Gustavin' It

School has been cancelled all week, and I have found myself missing early mornings and colonial America.

I've spent the last four days in Shreveport and Ruston with my favorite family aside from my own.  Laura and I have had a great time catching up (even if KTBS does take up most of her time), and we've enjoyed great movies and well-overdue bonding time.  Friday night, Kenneth and I are driving to Arlington to hang out with Justin Wooley for the night, and watch the Red Sox inch themselves closer to leading the division under the pitching skills of a returning Josh Beckett.  This, of course, I am pretty stoked about. 

Unfortunately, due to the wrath Gustav incurred upon my beloved campus and city, there is no Saturday Night Football in Tiger Stadium this week.  I am hoping, however, that upon my return to the BR, the electricity at everyone's houses will be fully restored and we will be able to reunite while watching other teams play in HD.  

The prayer is that East Baton Rouge Parish Schools will be back in session on Monday, so I can be back into routine, and so my graduation isn't delayed or anything....