This week

Back working at Edmonds Community College again, I'm quite enjoying it. :) I like to file-not being sarcastic. I like filing, it's mindless and simple. Not thinking necessary, I already know my numbers and letters so I'm golden! ;) And the people are fun, working with people who you enjoy being with is amazing. And compared to teaching it's so simple and easy, I don't have to worry about anything after I leave to office, no planning, no work at home. When I walk out those doors I am out, not consumed with thoughts of what I will do there tomorrow. Mind you I am still teaching, so I still have planning but it's only two classes for two more days. Crazy how fast it has gone by. I cannot believe my last day teaching is Friday. I really do enjoy the kids, today as I left, walking down the hall with all the "Hi Ms. Nestor" or "Hey Nestoria" (not sure why I'm called that...) makes me sad to leave, but the commute makes me glad to not have to go back. I will miss it though--which is a great thing seeing that I want to do this the rest of my life. There are some precious kids in my classes, and I think there always will be, there will always be those kids that drive me crazy, but there will also be the ones that always make me smile, or the ones who look interested when they started out my time there rolling their eyes at everything I said or we did!! Some of them have opened their lives to me if even in a very small way, in a simple conversation. This truly is a rewarding career. =)

That is what is happening this week in my life. This is a transition week, and transitions are always interesting.

Scar

My bandages finally came off! I have a cool scar:



I know it's a lame picture but it's an odd angle to take!!! ;)

Not a super big scar but still kinda cool, And over really far so summer will be the only time it's seen. (And don't worry, I was wearing a tube top)

Two Weeks Left

It is crazy to think that I have been at Hazen for over 4 months now and now I have only through next week as a full time teacher and then a week of part time and then I'm out. The 4th of June. Finishing Latin America this week, China next week (Seniors: Current World Issues) and then done with them. For my Juniors: Cuba this week, Vietnam War and attitude of the U.S. (in relation to the war) through the 70's next week. A day on Nixon. Then the 80's the week after and I'm done. I'd like to fit some 90's in too cause that's just interesting cause they were alive then and they really want to learn about it. :) So, I know what I'm teaching, the only question is HOW do I teach that and how do I make it INTERESTING!! I love history and it is such a passion for me I just don't want to waste this time I have if there's even the slightest chance that I could get some kids interested in history.

As crazy as these kids drive me, I will miss them. I'm definitely coming to graduation. And as crazy as this seems I think I'll come a few days after I'm done just to see the kids. (Especially since I will have no responsibilities there!!!!)

As much as I do like it (MOST days), I an burnt out, very tired and ready to be done with school. I get on the kids' cases about slacking off cause we're so close to the end but it's all I can do to continue on full throttle. ;-p I have to keep reminding myself I'm not actually done yet. But, two weeks... Only two weeks more. I can do two weeks. I can make it through two more weeks of this. By the grace of God!! and some good ole Ace of Base, Simon & Garfunkel and Hillsong. Life is good. =)

a sureal story

Got the pacemaker in yesterday morning. It feels so strange thinking about what happened in the last 30 some hours...Never thought I'd have done such a thing as I just did. Had very nice nurses, and I'll have a cool scare. ;) Already played Dutch Blitz a couple of times so I'll live. =)

April 30th

That's when I'm getting it!!!!! The only real bummer is that I have to stay in the hospital overnight... ;)

Pacemaker

I have decided to get the pacemaker. I have prayer a lot about it, and I feel that is what God is directing me to do. So I will get it in the next month or so. Best part is, I get to be pampered! ;)

Vasovagal Syncope

I have Vasovagal Syncope. It is an issue with the heart where the heart stops and after a while picks back up and starts again. We found out while doing an EEG to check on my seizures. Had a seizure and the Neurologist found that my heart stopped for 70 seconds. This apparently is not good. He then proceeded to send me to a Cardiologist to find a solution to this problem. They found that what has been happening all along is that my heart has been stopping which stops blood flow to the brain which then causes me to seize. The Cardiologist talked with a few other doctors and came to the conclusion that I need a pacemaker. This is not something I particularly want because there are risks involved with having a pacemaker. The main risk is having to replace the wires if they ever break--which they most likely will in my lifetime because I am so young. All in all, I do not want the pacemaker because I am stuck with this machine in my body for the rest of my life, but on the other hand I do not want to go through life worried about my heart stopping! In weighing the risks the doctors find that there is more rick of me hurting myself through my heart stopping unexpectedly as opposed to the risk of being damaged during a surgery.

It is a strange feeling to have to make a life changing decision on my own. I know I have other people to help me with it and to give me theri opinions, but as my brother pointed out, they do not have to live with this fro the rest of their lives, I do so ultimately I have to make the choice...

Ms. Nestor

There's something cool about having kids raise there hands and say, "Ms. Nestor, I have a question". I think I like this situation I find myself in.

E

Amy and E

E chattin' with someone! (She LOVES the phone!)

From the baby shower, Marissa, Mads and E.

She's like the doggie!!

Michelle Tsang's B-Day Party at the Hewetts!

SURPRISE!!!!! Happy Birthday Michelle (my twin). This is also from long ago but just found the pictures, so here they are! Love you twin!

She found a bug

Eat!

Birthday Girl

E

Evan Baby Shower! I know it's way past due...

E

Great grandma, Matt (Bonnie--cousin's hubby) and E

Marissa and I with E

Random people, no E

Brittney's mom with E

Sarah (my cousin) and I with E

That was a long time ago, but here they are anyways! :)

Teaching

It has been so much fun bring at the high school. While I'm at Northwest half the time I want to quit and do not want to teach anymore, but it's not that way at the high school. I love being around the kids, talking to them, leading discussion!! (Although it's mildly scary!!) My supervising teacher was out sick the other day so I got to lead every thing, it was a blast! Some classes definitely went better than others...but it was still fun and I'm glad to be doing it! I made an assignment for them yesterday, that was so much fun! Poor kids, I have fun making projects for them to do! Hehehe :)

Funny Story...

I went back to EdCC today... ;) Anyhoo, I laughed when my boss asked me to come in...But I really think this is my last day now!

Last Day

Today is my 4th last day at Edmonds Community College. I keep quitting or getting laid off and then they keep hiring me back again, it's kinda funny. ;) But I think today it might be my real last day because I'm starting student teaching/observing so I think this is it. :( I love working here because the people in Enrollment Services are so awesome, so it is a sad day. But that's ok, it's better to have a wonderful job ( that I've been at for 4 years) and mourn my last day than to have hated my job these past 4 years and rejoice over my last day! God's been good to me through this job and I am very grateful for the time I've had here and look forward to where God will have me next! :)

Back at EdCC

I went to visist my work at EdCC where I was laid off less than a month ago, walk into my bosses office and I get asked, "you want your job back for the rest of summer?" So, I'm back at Enrollment Services at Edmonds Community College! The Lord does answer prayer. It is only for a little more than a month, but He does provide! :) So, I'm working at a place I love once again!

Mexican Snow

I was suppost to be in Mexico right now, but didn't work out exaclty as planned...Our flight was cancelled, and they were not doing any rebooking until the 30th!!! So, I played in the snow instead! :)

All Done!

I finished my finals today. It's a strange feeling to constantly work so hard and then all the sudden be free! I am thrilled to be done, but am not quite ready to relax yet. I'm leaving for Mexico in but 4 days and have much to do in that short amount of time. But, some Sunday morning, I will be on a plane headed to warm relaxation! :)

Road

I'm driving to school at 6 in the morning, its dark and the memories of skidding my way to church yesterday are fresh in my mind. The roads scare me with their black ice coverings and snow remains swirling atop them. I drive carefully, praying to God no one gets in an accident, including me! I make it onto the freeway safely, where the frightening parts of the road are no longer quite as pertinent, the black ice is no where to be seen or felt and the swirling snow is dissipated, yet I still am unnerved. A big truck pulls in front of me as I'm driving nervously down the road. He seems sure of himself, he would never crash, he's strong and stable. So I think to myself, let's follow him, he looks safe. Forgetting that I had just asked God to keep me safe but a minute ago, I look to the big truck ahead of me for safety! I stay behind the truck, feeling secure, following him. And then he gets off. I whimper aloud, "my truck left me", and immediately I see what I was doing. I was putting my trust in someone/something other than God.

This might seem extremely silly, but it made me think of all the times that I do this in my everyday life. I look to other people to keep me safe, to guide me. The thing is, eventually they'll all leave. They look, and they might be strong, stable, safe and secure, but they're no God. God is always with me and will never get off the freeway of my life. Not to say that we can't follow people, God puts people in our lives to guide us, but ultimately, God is who we are to follow.

So, this is one of the many lessons God is teaching me right now: Look to Him.

Just as God guided the Israelites through thick and thin, through battle and desert, He will guide us and keep us safe. He is a good God who will not let His people down.

Nehemiah 9:17-19

"But You are a God of forgiveness,
Gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness;
And You did not forsake them.
Even when they made for themselves
A calf of molten metal
And said, 'This is your God
Who brought you up from Egypt,'
And committed great blasphemies,
You, in Your great compassion,
Did not forsake them in the wilderness;
The pillar of cloud did not leave them by day,
To guide them on their way,
Nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go.
You gave Your good Spirit to instruct them,
Your manna You did not withhold from their mouth,
And You gave them water for their thirst."

More Evan

If any of you are interest, my brother's blog has tons more picture and stories of this darling girl. http://www.3nestors.blogspot.com/

Evan Roriann Nestor

She's so amazing...

3 Days--Come on girl!!!

Well, only 3 days til my new little niece is due (although, only God knows when she'll actually arrive). Thoroughly looking forward to meeting her!! I'll do a new post when she comes out of the womb!

There's not too many pics on my brother's blog, but there's more info on baby/mommy...

www.thenestors.blogspot.com

Work

I thought working at Edmonds CC would be only a summer job, but they have offered to keep me on as a perminate part time employee. So, great news! I don't have to search for a job come September!!! :) I really do love it here at EdCC, and look forward to another year here with all my work buddies!

My New Weekly Obsession

http://www.postsecret.blogspot.com

I'm just trying to think of the perfect 'secret' to send in...

Life at the Klondike

I think I've mentioned that I'm interning at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in downtown Seattle/Pioneer Square. I'm actually here now, a great thing, when there's no one here I can just read or go on the internet! There is a large stack of books they want me to read to get educated on the Klondike Gold Rush. But that's totally ok, I love it in fact! Not all are as interesting as some, but it's history and I have from 9-5 every Saturday that I'm here to read, so it's pretty great. I just read a book called "Gold Rush Fever" by Barbara Greenwood. It was GREAT! I would recommend it to anyone who is even mildly interested in this subject. It was made for a younger crowd, so it was an easy read, had tons of pictures, was straight forward, factual and related it to life today. Gives applications to make the story of the Klondike Gold Rush more real to any one reading it. I enjoyed it. Y'all should check it out. In fact...you should come visit the museum! It's a pretty nice lifttle place we got here. I mean come on, you can see how much you would be worth if you were gold with this handy dandy weighing machine!! They also have short videos to watch (one of which I watched today!) and a tour of this area, which I went on today...that's something I'd like to do eventually, give tours of historical sites, I think that sounds quite thrilling! and one other thing the museum has on saturdays...me! I'm in the gift shop, so come visit!

Well, I think I'm gogint to start on another book now...maybe one that isn't aimed at elementary age kids. Nah, those are the good kinds. ;)