My New Teaching Assignment in Spokane
Mood:  surprised
Now Playing: Accent the Positive
My new teaching assignment was a shock at first and my initial reaction was, "Oh, darn, that's not what i wanted." My mind began spinning off into negativity city. Luckily i have been working on slamming on the brakes. Now wait a minute o-out-of-control-mind. Let's look at the good parts of this job. Didn't you say your first priority was to be within walking distance of your home? So isn't Shadle high school in walking distance? Why, yes, it is! And weren't you worried about transitioning from a slowed-down Japanese life with very few work related stresses? Why, yes, i was worried about dealing with angry kids and tough classes. But a DI room is a pretty laid back environment where i will constantly have to slow down and take a new pace with slow but eager learners. Well, all be danged, that's right!
Amazing what a little brain training can do.

Since that initial shift i've talked with two of my most special friends in Spokane. Rhonda was my guardian angel at the Skills Center and was my very own Ed. Specialist for a few years. She not only helped me immensely with her expertise, but we developed a real friendship. I now count her as a true bicycling and skiing buddy too. Well, guess what. Rhonda is going to be my Ed. Specialist at Shadle. Yippeee. We are both so very excited to be working together again. And then there is my friend and former co-worker, Lorraine. She has been so dedicated to the DI population. We worked so well together for quite a few years at the Skills Center where she was able to help me slow down and appreciate this happy and hardworking group of kids. Lorraine will be one of my most honored and true friends and now mentor when i return to Spokane.
Lucky, lucky me. They say that if you let go of your own WILL that things will turn out better than you every could have planned on your own. Lesson learned again!
PEACE AND LOVE TO YOU.