5th Grade

So yesterday I went to volunteer at a local elementary school. I volunteer in a 5th grade classroom and yesterday was my first day. I was sitting with the teacher doing a reading group, she steps away for a moment and one of the girls (whose name is Precious) looks at me and says "so are you 12?" I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. I told her no I am almost 21 and the 5 of them go "ooooooohh" and just look at each other. I sat there and did the math, and I was 12 when I was in the 6th grade, they thought I was a year older than them, when in reality I am almost twice as old as them.

Needless to say I was surprised that was the only comment I got about my age all afternoon, considering almost all of them are my height or taller.

I really enjoy volunteering in elementary school because I am just fascinated by them, from K to 5. I love just sitting and watching their interactions with one another, I love watching their reactions to things, I love watching them think, (especially Kindergarteners). It makes me think a lot about what I was like when I was that age, what were my thought patterns? I wish I could remember. All I really remember about 5th grade was getting to be a safety patrol officer and "family life" (junior sex-ed).

The teacher asked me what I want to do after I graduate and I just love talking to people about my plan. My plan is to apply for Teach for America this coming Fall and hopefully become a Corps Member. It still surprises me when people don't know what it is, but I guess I am just biased. When you become a Corps Member, you sign on for 2 years. TFA's goal is to eliminate the achievement gap and really bring educational equality. They recruit recent college graduates to work in rural and urban schools in cities all over America. I am just obsessed with this organization because the reason I decided I wanted to become a teacher (Kindergarten particularly) is because as a teacher you are providing those students with the building blocks for their education throughout their lives, you can show them how to love school and learning. With kindergarten, how cool is it that you teach them these basic things they are going to use the rest of their lives? This organization is so awesome to me because it is outrageous that every student in America is required to go to school yet there is such an inequity.

Let me get off my soap-box, but all I can say is I really hope and pray I get the job next year :)

21 Things To Do While 21

So I have 85 days until I will be 21. That is the weirdest feeling ever. I remember being like 5 and thinking I can't wait to be a big girl. Well now I am just 85 days shy and I feel like I wish I could be a little 5 year old running aroud outside my house in Ironto naked as a jaybird without a care in the world.

In May I will be turning 21, I will officially become a Senior at CNU - A SENIOR IN COLLEGE PEOPLE !!!, and it will be the start to my last summer at home - my last summer as "a kid". Needless to say I am freaking out a little bit.

I just spent the past two days visiting my Phi Mu big sis Laura in DC. I got lost coming into DC, got pulled over by a Metro cop because my tags on my license plate expired (in November - never fear the new ones were sitting on the table at home in Roanoke), luckily she let me off with a warning, good thing she didn't see my inspection sticker that expired last month- I get it done for free in Roanoke, I really am a responsible citizen, I promise. Laura and I saw some of the sights and mostly just hung out because it's been so long since we've seen each other.

I got home this evening, watched the Vancouver Closing Ceremonies and now here I am. Yay America for winning the medal count - aka winning the Olympics!!!

Anywho, the real point of this post was to reveal my list of 21 things to do while 21. My old YL leader Elizabeth gave me the idea. On her 26th birthday she will be posting a list of 30 things she wants to do before she turns 30, so I kinda changed it around to fit my big birthday coming up.

Because my birthday is on a Tuesday and my Mom will be at a conference, the real celebration is going to be in Memphis, Tennessee that weekend, which is Memorial Day Weekend. My Mom, sister, Aunts Tammie and Kelley and cousin Corri will be gathering in Memphis for the occasion. I am very excited because I've never been to Memphis and I've heard it is a lot of fun.

So I am not actually going to reveal my list today. Starting 21 days before my birthday I will reveal one item off the list each day.

Any ideas for things to put on the list?? It is in progress so your input would be great!

PH Men's Soccer Scrimmage v. Albemarle 5PM Friday Gainer Field! Go Boys!!!!

Ramblings of a bored college student

It is that time of the year, the time when I get to give something up for 40 days/nights. A little time I like to call Lent. Now you may think, Brynn you are not Catholic, well I know, but I "practice"? Lent anyways. Jesus wasn't Catholic was he, haha?

Lent comes from Matthew 4:1-11, when Jesus went out into the desert for 40 days and nights and was tempted by Satan. To me Lent is a time when you can give up something that is meaningful, maybe even difficult for you to do. I think it is supposed to show you that Christ strengthens us in ways we don't even realize until we are faced with challenge. I know some people might say how does giving up eating out/soda (what I have chosen to give up) strengthen my relationship with Christ? Well the point for me is every time I am tempted to go to Panera and buy a bowl of Broccoli Cheddar soup and get a DP it makes me think of Lent, ie Jesus and the ultimate sacrifice he made for me. It is a constant reminder of Christ for me, maybe other people don't see it that way or think that's a stretch but that is what Lent means to me.

That being said...

There are only 8 weeks of classes left !!! I only have 9 weeks left of my Junior year, then I will be a freaking SENIOR!!!! WHAT!?!?! How in the world am I almost a Senior in college, it's just not right. Time flies by. I will admit I am so stoked for Senior year, but I hate knowing it's almost over.

I am so excited for Spring Break - which starts next Friday - yeah I know what you're thinking, Spring Break in the WINTER!!! CNU is crazy in case you were wondering. I am going to visit my Big Laura up in Northern VA for the first couple days of break, then I am going home to Roanoke, sitting on my keister and doing nothing - which is code for I will be working at Katie's and doing lots and lots of homework. I can't wait to go visit my soccer boys and hopefully see the Dowdy's :)

Random post I know, but I am random so I hope you enjoyed it haha

Now That's What I Call Music

Does anyone remember those CDs?? They released a new one every few months, it was basically a mix CD of popular music at the time.

Well this is my own version of that. This playlist has been on my Ipod for a while now, it is my "on-the-go" playlist. In case you don't know an on the go playlist is one where you can literally add any song on your Ipod to a playlist, while you are on the go.

I am up to 21 songs and they have been the same 21 for a while, some of them are featured on my blog playlist, but some aren't. Give em a listen and tell me what you think. (this list is in no particular order)

1. Live Forever - Drew and Ellie Holcomb
2. Think of You (Live) - Reeve Carney
3. Say (All I Need) - One Republic
4. Secret - Maroon 5
5. Into the Mystic - Van Morrison
6. These are the Days - Van Morrison
7. Your Winter - Sister Hazel
8. Be Here Now - Ray LaMontagne
9. Sunrise - Norah Jones
10. Don't Know Why - Norah Jones
11.Come Away With Me - Norah Jones
12. Broken - Lifehouse
13. Everything - Lifehouse
14. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
15. Hear You Me - Jimmy Eat World
16. Live High - Jason Mraz
17. On Love, In Sadness - Jason Mraz
18. Lucky - Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
19. On a Night Like This - Dave Barnes
20. All for You (Acoustic Version) - Sister Hazel
21. Won't Be Long - Ferraby Lionheart - My latest favorite!!


This verse was stuck in my head today :
"May you know how long, how high, how wide and how deep is the love of Christ for you" - Ephesians 3:18

It makes me think of all my Windy Gap friends, miss you all!!!

Doppelganger

So I saw on my friend Elizabeth's Blog this thing called "Doppelganger Week". What you do is find your celebrity look-a-like & put it as your Facebook picture, for all intensive purposes I am just going to put it on the blog.

When I was little I looked just like....


Drew Barrymore circa E.T.



Me circa Kindergarten

Not sure if the same still rings true?? What do you think??








I really don't know who I look like now, other than looking just like my mom.



Any suggestions/ideas?

2.5 Semesters left

It is now the third week of the semester. Things have calmed down somewhat now that recruitment is over. I am excited to say we got an awesome new class of amazing women this past Sunday!! It is so weird to think that I was in their shoes two years ago. I ended up changing my schedule around a little bit, a Social Development psych lecture/lab class opened up so I jumped on the opportunity. I am taking Finite Mathematics (lame), Abnormal Psychology (LOVE IT), History of Psych (could be worse), Social Development and Lab (LOVE), and Leading Change (gaggggg). I am actually really pleased with my classes thus far, I really like all of my professors which is totally vital.

I officially feel like a grown up, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday of this semester I have the joy of waking up at 530 in the morning to go to work by 6. In case you are confused, I am still a college student. The other two weekdays I get to sleep in, well my version of sleeping in, I wake up at 715 for my 8 am class. Yes I am certifiably in.sane.

I can't believe that next year will be my senior year. CRAZY. I don't know where the time has gone, but I am just going to try and enjoy what is left of college.

2009 in Review

Well 2009 certainly brought it's ups and downs. I am going to take the plunge and write my resolutions, but this year I am taking a different approach. Instead of simply writing a list of things I want to do or don't want to do I am going to write how I want to grow this year. Don't get me wrong I have a few specific things I would like to adjust (like giving up soda, I am not an addict by any means but I want to try and cut the one-a-day habit).

So here is my year in review:

January:

We took an amazing pledge class of 21 beautiful girls! Including by best friend, lion pal and roommate, Heather Nicole McGriff.


February:
I found out who my little was ! The amazing Shelby Lynn Phillips. And after weeks of anticipation she found out I was her big!



March:
I found out I got a Summer Staff position @ Windy Gap!


April:
I went to Alpha Kappa Psi's Yellow Rose Ball with my sister !


And our own Carnation Ball, my friend Brittany from high school came!



May:
I went to Pi Lambda Phi's Formal with my wonderful friend Michael - to be honest I kinda made him take me haha but I am glad he did I had an awesome time! My little was actually his other date!




ANNNNNDD I was no longer a teenager, I had my 20th birthday!

June:
I got to see my boys (Patrick Henry Men's Soccer Team) make it farther than any team in PH's history, advancing to the State Tournament! And I got to play with my favorite little guy, Sam Dowdy.




July:
I spent four amazing weeks with the most incredible people ever serving the Lord @ Young Life's Windy Gap in Weaverville, North Carolina.



August:
I began my Junior year at CNU!


September:
On September 6, my dear friend Erik Wellumson passed away unexpectedly while running a half marathon. Erik was like a big brother to me my freshman year at CNU and I'd love nothing more than to be able to get one of his awesome bear hugs again... one day..


October:
I dressed up as Max from 'Where the Wild Things Are' for Halloween... My little was Miss Frizzle from the Magic School Bus.


November:
Semi-Formal !



December:
I went to New York City with my mom, sister, Grandma, Aunt Tammie, Cousin Corri and her friend Cassi.




Hope you enjoyed ! I pray that 2010 brings amazing things for everyone! and me too I guess.