Love Languages and Odes

Last week my coworker bestie and I organized a theme day for our students. Every Wednesday we do leadership traits as the overarching theme. So for our most recent day, Lia and I chose love as a leadership trait.

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We mostly taught about agape (unconditional) and philia (brotherly). Among other things, we revamped a love languages quiz and introduced ode writing.

For fun, Tim and I re-took the husband/wife version of the quiz. Do you know your love language? How about the language of those closest to you? There's a version to fit us all. Click here to start your online quiz.

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Go figure--Tim and I scored exactly opposite. His most dominant love languages were my weakest. I like to joke that I'm strongest in all the languages...I'll take the love however I can get it!

So, I try not to ask my students to do something I haven't recently tried myself. I figured I'd better write an ode. My students had to choose a love "category" from the Greek. I demonstrated my unconditional love for a season of life. Here it is...

Ode to Two Years

Two years came so quickly.

I didn’t know you’d sneak up like that.

While you can be trying, two years, you are also so surprising and exciting.

I’m just barely getting glimpses of all that you are bringing to my little girl.

So far, two years, you’ve brought new words—scratch that—sentences.

“Where are you?” ~ “There you are!”

“Baby nigh nigh” ~ “Baby hunry”

You’ve brought laughter and bright eyes,

And a longing for The Little Mermaid and The Lion King.

But, two years, sometimes I’m not ready for you.

You are introducing tantrums and stubbornness.

You make my little girl refuse all food but mac & cheese.

Because of you, she kicks her shoes off in the car and throws her milk to the ground.

Two years, how long do you plan to stay?

Since you came early, any chance you’ll exit before three?

Don’t get me wrong, you are important and we need you…

But, you’re also exhausting and sometimes frustrating.

Here’s the thing, no matter what mood swing you bring, I love you so much!

Nothing can change that.

Thanks for helping my little girl grow into the miniature person 

God has made her to be.

And just for fun...

XO my friends and family! 

A Quick Glimpse: My life at school

Aloha! Good morning to you!

I know I don't talk much about my school...my high school...on my blog. Mostly because I want to respect the privacy of my students and coworkers. However, one day, when I'm much more removed, I'll have to share some cute, funny, challenging stories of all the lessons I've learned from my ever-so-charming students!

Anyway, I am quite proud of where I teach, who I teach, and those whom I teach with. I'm blessed! I do miss my baby girl tremendously when I'm at work for a good majority of the week, but I'm just thankful to feel so challenged, fulfilled, and humored (that's right, teenagers are funn-nny...even when they don't mean to be) on a daily basis.

Instead of telling you about my academy...check it out here...these are our students and this is our space (this is a commercial that our teacher's union recently made). Have a great day!

Faith Blogs.Cooking Class.Girls Night

Good Saturday to you!

I just have a few fun links to share and although I'm running out the door in a minute, I figure there's always time to post ;) ha!

My sweet girlfriend on Oahu, Lindsay, introduced me to a fabulous online resource: Faith Blogs. And guess what? I'm honored to have my blog added to their ever-growing collection. Check it out here.

As I've stolen away moments to cruise other bloggers hooked up with Faith Blogs, I've been crazy encouraged and deeply touched. I just linked you to the blog above, but the actual site is faithblogs.net and if you click here you'll see the featured blogs for last week.

I'm proud to share that my charming, expert blogger friend from Aisle to Aloha is featured and you can find her with the above link or cruise her blog here.

In fact, this friend I'm sharing, Lindsay of Aisle to Aloha, is celebrating her birthday today! She has an Etsy shop for her amazing paintings (and a sweet sale going on today!).

And tonight...dun dun dun...is girls night out in honor of Lindsay! I'd tell you what we are doing, but it's a surprise for Lindsay. Maybe I'll share pics later this week..

Credit: weheartit.com posted by: loveneverfails

Not too long ago, I posted about doing the Puri Tea with the youth girls at my church. Well, today we are doing Aunty Sandy's Cooking Class. I can't wait to get my hands messy with these beautiful young girls! More on that later...

Credit: weheartit.com posted by: forgetaboutme

Seriously, I do have to run! Have a blessed day! Please join me in praying for our world--especially Libya and Japan.

Credit: weheartit.com posted by: defnekocaman

Puri Tea

Aloha!

Guess what? Our power came back on yesterday. Electricity feels good. Although, I am secretly sad that we didn't have a chance to break out our camp stove or pick up a kerosene lantern. Those two things were next on the list if we remained in the dark. Anyway...I'm sure grateful for those working around the clock to restore power!

I just wanted to share some lovely images from our recent Puri Tea. My most beautiful friend Jan just started a new ministry for our church and community. It's called Girls of Hope. I am honored to be a part of these events--which are geared towards middle school and high school girls!

Our first event (planned to the detail by Jan) was a Puri Tea. Sweet, right? Here is the flyer that Jan made:

 The girls dined like ladies and were treated like princesses. What young girl wouldn't love that? Or any girl?! After tea, a message, and a live song performance, the girls made their commitments to walk in purity. The night was complete with pink shirts, signed certificates, and purity rings. It was a touching evening.

 All photos are courtesy of the talented, Alyssa Amasol. To see more pictures and learn more about Girls of Hope, I invite you to check out Jan's blog. Our next event is a cooking class with Aunty Sandy. If you are a young girl on Oahu, come check it out! xoxo

Be blessed, my friends!

Oh, and just for fun...here are the lyrics to the Jaci Velasquez song, I Promise, that Angie sang for the girls at Puri Tea. Enjoy!

Lord, You know my heart
And all my desires
And the secret things I'll never tell
Lord, You know them well


Though I may be young
I see and understand
That at times like sheep we go astray
And things get out of hand

Chorus:

So I promise to be true to You
To live my life in purity
As unto You
Waiting for the day
When I hear You say
Here is the one I have created
Just for you


Until then, O Lord
I will be content
Knowing that true love
Will come someday
It will only come from You


Cause I have seen the suffering
That loneliness can cause
When we choose to give our love away
Without a righteous cause