Fabulous

Lists. I love em. Here's a list of fabulously wonderful things that have happened since Friday...

1.

How beautiful is this?! A gift from my besties :)

2. My mom came to school today to meet my kids. What a culture experience for her! Ha. She got a little turned around. I was on the phone with her and one of the sweetest boys said, "Ms. Cormack, tell her to just get to Center Point." HA! Like that was the issue :)

3. Natural Trails...I've never been much of a hiker, but my mom, grandfather, and I went for a small hike at the state park this weekend. Here are two of my favorite pictures...

4. I've decided to let my hair grow back out, but it was time for a hair-cut. I love hair-cuts and the girl that cuts it! :)

5. I purchased my ticket to South Africa. And I can't wait!! Kate and I are going to have a blast. I think it's funny that several people have said, "You have to come back. You can't stay." I love that people know my heart so well.

5 on Friday

1. It's been a while since I posted. Not much interesting has been happening lately. But then again, nothing ever really does, so I guess I am getting lazy :)
2. Yesterday was the 1st anniversary of my Daddy's death. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it was definitely hard. I went to school to help take my mind off things. And it did. My kids were a little rowdy and I was regretting being there. I picked up my grandfather from the airport yesterday afternoon. He has yet to see my house, so that was our first stop. Then, off to Tazikis for dinner. YUMMY! Next, my house in Guntersville...
3. Needless to say, I am in Guntersville :) Home, sweet, home. I took the day off to relax and remember. My grandfather, a complete Yankee (not the baseball team, the person) is riding in a Mack Transportation 18 wheeler as I type.
4. Yesterday confirmed my long going belief that I am surrounding by the best people in the world. The Ausley's sent me a sweet card, my girls sent me flowers, Barbara sent a card and a Cadbury Egg (my absolute favorite!), Calla had a sweet note for me when I woke up, and many text messages. Thank you!
5. It's time for a new phone...I am having a hard time deciding if I want to be a part of the smartphone craze, or stick to the basics. I don't want to be tied to my phone constantly, which is what will happen if I get a smartphone. But, after seeing what all I can do on a smart phone, a basic isn't as interesting. And money is also an issue. I can't see paying close to $100 a month for a phone bill. Maybe it's time to switch providers...

YES!!

I may be jinxing myself, but today was a wonderful day in my classroom. They were the sweet kids I had 1st semester. They could tell I was not in the mood to deal with talking this morning, so they were SO quiet. We took the reading test...which to my surprise, they were quiet when they finished their test. Then, we had math and it was fun! This week we are learning about geometric and numerical patterns. We had fun playing around with those. They walked quietly in line, sat in their assigned seats at lunch, and didn't ask me to get them a fork! The afternoon was cut short because I had a doctor's appointment, but they were perfect when I left them. I am so glad my kids are back!
I have a short week this week and next week will be cut short 2 days. Tuesday I have a workshop to go to and Friday I will be enjoying the day in Guntersville with my family as we remember my daddy. I love, love, love short weeks!

MLK

Today as I celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I think about the world I live in, and the world my parents were raised in. What a change and a difference. Of course, I am thankful for the change and the realization in equality. I know you may not agree, but we have a long way to go. So, I'll let you think about this...

"Life's most persistent an urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" Martin Luther King, Jr.

Come ON!

I mean, seriously. How are the roads still icy?! I never thought I would ever say I am ready to go back to school, but I am. I can only lay on the couch, have a movie marathon, eat crappy, and not get dressed for so long. I have cabin fever. I want to get out of here.
The month of January, I am trying to conserve my money. That means no eating out, only buying groceries when I have nothing left, and no riding around. So there goes everything I could do. So, why not go back to work?
And....the longer I am out now, the longer I have to work in June. The way it's going my summer break may last 1 week before I have to get back to work. (Note: I am being a little dramatic, and I know it.) I would rather enjoy the hot months than be stuck in my house, which brings me to this...
Dear Jefferson County,
Please do whatever is necessary to get the roads ice free. I want to go to work. I actually enjoy my job and would love to be there now instead of June. Thank you for your cooperation.
Your resident,
Megan

on my mind

Lately I've had a few things on my mind. I am going to share my thoughts and WOULD love to hear what you have to say. Please keep in mind, these are only thoughts. No actions have been taken and I am stilling listening to what God is telling me. Here it goes...

I have a huge heart. And a part of my heart has been aching lately. In the city I live in, there are people that are homeless or living off the government. What if some of those people wanted, actually wanted, to better their life? What if they were looking to build a relationship with someone who would care, help, listen, and provide? What if they didn't know they could get out of their circumstances? What if I was the person to help them...?
During Christmas break, I rode around Birmingham checking out the different areas. I took a look at my job (that I love a WHOLE lot), the people who live in the projects, homeless people, homeless shelters, and non-profit organizations. I want to figure out how I do something to help people. I don't want to give them a hand out, I want to reach my hand out to pull them up. I want to help people who want help. I want to work with women. I want to help women figure out how to get jobs, take care of their finances, and become better people and citizens of our country. I want to help with grow.
As I turn all the things in my head, my restlessness is growing. I pray that God reveals His plan in His time. I know what I am doing now is making a difference, but I think I can do more. I know I can do more if He helps. I know I can be effective. I am making plans to volunteer with different non-profits to see if that's where I can serve. And I am considering getting a masters in social work. I am leaving all doors open until God shows me where to go.
I'd like your thoughts and opinion. If you know of a place I can volunteer or a way I can help...if you want to help me or your heart aches too for lost (in so many ways) people, I'd LOVE to hear from you.
"If a man shuts his hears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." Proverbs 21:13

Geez.

I don't know where my sweet little darlings went, but I want them back. NOW! The kids that came to school this week were not my kids. My kids are sweet and polite. They listen, don't talk back, and get along. They love watching nerdy movies and reading. Math is the best part of the day and getting to science was exciting. WHERE DID THEY GO?!
The kids I got on Tuesday are chatty, disrespectful, hate anything that involves learning (Hello, we are at school!!), would rather fight than get along, ask a million questions, want to go to the bathroom ALL the time, and can't sit in their seats.
I am exhausted from saying the same thing a million times. I want them to be my old kids next week. I don't want another week like this week. I hope they learned their lesson today when some kids were enjoying a pretty Friday afternoon outside and we were doing science.

On a side note... the weather this weekend is going to be crazy. I hope our power doesn't go out. And I would really hate it if Auburn fans didn't get to watch the Championship game...NOT! :)

see ya later

I know I talk about my best friends ALL the time, but they are seriously the best. Last night we went out to eat because Kate's leaving for South Africa on Monday and Mary will be moving to Nashville at the end of the month. As I was sitting listening to them talk, I just thought of all the good times we've had together. All the laughs, tears, arguments, realizations, talks, car rides, surprises and I wanted to cry. Nowhere else will I ever find 5 COMPLETELY different people that love me and I love as much as I do them. If you were to meet us seperately you would probably never guess how well we fit together. Here's why I love them.

Grace is so supportive and understanding. She'll pray for you like no other :) She'll want to spend lots of time with you to show you her love.

Kate will agree with you, help you through things, and then be there when you go back. She'll show you how much she loves you with presents and thoughtful reminders.

Mary will tell you like it is, laugh at you when you are being stupid, and remind you it's a game called life. She'll never change and always, always understand me.

Calla is the most faithful and loyal friend you will ever meet. She'll stick up for you and have your back no matter what.

Jessica is so freakin funny. She brings much laughter in my life and will lend a hand.

These girls make me who I am. I would be lost without them. In 2011, I can only imagine how much our friendships will grow. We are closer now than we ever have been. If I were proposing a toast to them, it would sound like this...here's to friendships that last a lifetime.

Truckin'

I have never understood how in the world my brother enjoyed driving a truck everyday, carrying thousands of pounds of scrap metal...until I rode with him during the break. I had so much fun. In the 3 years my brother has had Mack Transportation, I've never been inside one of his trucks. Here's a few things I loved:

1. The CB. He used to have one in his pick-up truck when he was 16. We talked on that thing ALL THE TIME. He wouldn't let me talk on it now, but it was fun to listen to everyone on there joking around and helping each other out. And I loved the lingo. 10-4.

2. The Business. I just figured most truckers don't really treat it like a serious job. But, Mikey does. His outfit consists of khakis, a button up shirt, and a Mack hat. He treats it just like I do teaching.

3. The sites. Oh.My.Goodness. I was completed intrigued by all the cars being smashed up. I watched an old Dodge van being torn apart. So cool.

4. Spending a day with my brother. It's not often that we spend a lot of time together doing things he loves. He listens to all my teaching stories, knows my kids, and acts like he enjoys it. It was fun seeing him so engrossed in his business.