Jaunary thus far

January has been a strange month because I have been everywhere from home to midyear and then back to San Diego. Home was a little overwhelming, but still great. It was supposed to be my time to relax but it turns out that I did just the opposite. I wanted to get in seeing lots of people so I was always on the go and not at home nearly as much as I wanted to be. Not that it wasn't great to see people because it definitely was. It was awesome to be with my family again, especially my mom. I think the best part of being home though was finally being able to meet my god-daughter, Emma. She is the cutest little girl I have see and it was really hard to have to leave her and Colleen and Matty.




After her baptism with me and Eldon, her god parents.

Right from home we went to mid year retreat which was in Ocean City, on the shore in New Jersey. Alli and I were driving down in the volunteer cars, I had the Lawrence car and she had the Bronx car. We were supposed to leave Massachusetts by 9am so we could be at the retreat house by 4pm but due to a lovely snow storm we couldn't drive until it kind of stopped. So I left my house by noon and ended up in Jersey after picking a few others up along the way at 10pm. It was a very long ride but at least somewhat enjoyable. Mid year retreat was great. It was awesome to see everyone from all of the different sites and especially to spend 4 straight days with Alli. It was a nice way to ease back into the volunteer year after being home and gave us ways to really focus on what we are doing and how to continue to make the best of the rest of the year.


our car on the way down to midyear. almost there (only a few blocks away) after what felt like a million hours of driving.


during the community competition. our clue on the beach got blown away, but clearly we didn't care and decided to stop and take pictures instead!


Alli and I. We shared a room during midyear...felt just like when we lived together!


San Diego before our dinner out!


All of the domestic volunteers 2009-2010!

After midyear was straight back to San Diego. I am realizing that I do really love this place very much. In the beginning we missed fall a lot and thought the city was to cocky of itself. But now that we actually know our way around places and the fact that its sunny while its freezing at home, we are beginning to really enjoy it here. I love being able to wear shorts and dresses in January rather then bundling up in too many clothes. (although I hate that all of my dresses and such are summer clothes and they dont go with the season so I never know what I should wear here!)

The two weeks that I have been back at school have probably been two of the hardest weeks I've had here thus far. The first week consisted of getting the students back into the routine with me. Behaving, listening, ect. I forgot what it was like to be with children all day again and to just come home feeling exhausted. Running around after kids and yelling all day (mainly because we are outside and if I dont yell in general they can't hear me) is just plain old tiring. Meg and Sarah were here visiting me last weekend though. I loved being able to go out with them here, to show them where I live and where I work, having them meet my roommates and showing them lots of San Diego.


Meg, Sarah and I in Old Town.


out in PB (pacific beach) with melissa, also went to Merrimack and came down from LA.

This past week at school has been insanely difficult. San Diego has been having rain and storms all week which leads to having PE inside. I don't mind it too much because its a nice change from what we are usually doing, but the kids are crazy because of the weather and they can't get their energy out by running outside. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday we did things in their classroom, watched a movie or played 4 corners, heads up 7 up and silent ball. Thursday we brought them into the parish hall to run around but they were insane. It was probably one of the most difficult days so far. At the end of 5th grade P.E. a boy punched a girl in his class. I didn't see it so it was really difficult. Probably one of the more challenging situations I have been in.

But the rain is now gone in San Diego so lets hope that this week is much better! Since I have now done 4 updates in the past month I think I am on a good streak and I'm going to try to keep it up!

Adios! (My roommates are trying to help me learn spanish)