What Lies Around the Bend.
What a scary thing it is to make decisions about the future! It is that time of the year when contracts are handed back and school boards realize that they need new teachers. The calls from school boards trickled in slowly, yet nothing really seemed to feel right. It was a little discouraging to turn down place after place. Would any place feel right? It was in the middle of a school day when I got a voice message that made my heart practically leap out of my chest. At first I thought that there was no way this place could be right. I never dreamed of living in this specific area. Somehow a deep peace settled over me and after sending many prayers skyward, I accepted the position. Lo and behold, Shanelle is going to be a Kansas girl this coming school year and will call United Center home. How scary but how exciting!
"When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does." -Anne of Green Gables
If you need an action book to keep your brain awake while checking books or doing something monotonous, I would suggest The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre. If you are interested in the Cold War or spying in general, it is very interesting. It gives you a peek into the Russian KGB and British MI6 which are two intelligence agencies.
It was decided upon that I would accompany Rain to see some friends and spend a day at the Ark Encounter over spring break. The four hour drive was filled with the two of us talking about everything under the sun. It seemed to go by quickly, but it was relief to pull up to the little AirBnB on Sunset Drive. Hugs and handshakes were exchanged and we piled back into my car for the journey to supper. The Mexican restaurant we chose seemed to be on everyone else’s list. The wait wasn’t too long though and soon we were chowing on the good stuff and making small talk. After we had filled our stomachs and emptied our pocketbooks, we headed back to the house where we squished on a little couch and sang songs and laughed until a late hour. Sleeping on the top of a bunk bed is something I haven’t done in years. It seemed that I would wake my bunk mate with every toss and turn. Eventually I fell asleep and woke to morning sunshine pouring in the windows. We had a slow morning and made it to the Ark Encounter around 9:45ish. In like a cattle herd as Shay said and soon we were making our way through the cages and exhibits. I remembered much from when I had attended the place when I was a mere twelve year old, but it was fun to see it with adult eyes and understanding. After three hours of exploring, we made our way back into the muggy Kentucky afternoon. It was decided that we would head to Hansie’s Flip Burgers for lunch. The burgers and fries were quite amazing and once again we sat around in a small food coma. There was an antique shop down the street so naturally that was next on the agenda. It was a cute little place and some merchandise was secured. Of course coffee was next on the schedule. The Daily Grind was a resting place for the next bit. Too soon it was time to say the goodbyes and head for home. What fun our time had been! Rain and I fueled up and hit the highway. We decided that we were going to make a ice cream stop once we got the Columbus. I punched in a place that I had heard had good ice cream and soon we were driving on cobblestone streets through the most dear little village. Jeni’s Ice Cream was the kind of shop where you walk up and order your ice cream. We each got ourselves a bowl and decided to walk the quaint streets as we ate. We picked out our dream houses, little brick places with black trimmed windows or houses with cute gardens and walkways. One block and our ice cream had disappeared. However we didn’t feel to hop back in the car just quite yet. There was no time for when we needed to be home. Let’s get lost! We walked to a dear park, Schiller Park in German Village to be precise, and wandered among the streets nearby. There were many persons out and about with their dogs and given the weather was beautiful and it was a Saturday, it made sense. My Google Maps had placed a pin where we had parked so there was no fear of us actually getting lost. We piled back into the car and to our surprise we were going to get home earlier than we thought! The hour and a half home was never silent, but how good it was to finally be home and to sleep in the comfort of a room you know well. This trip taught me that taking a side trip is actually an extraordinary experience. Sometimes you just have to slow down and follow a rabbit trail.
It was recently decided that we youth girls should have a girl’s volleyball game. We gathered at the school gym and started to play. Girl’s volleyball games are such a fun time. The screams and yells that emitted from the females made for an uproariously funny time, and the insults and memes thrown around added to the competition. Hint: call people by their middle names to get them fired up! When there are no men getting the spikes, the girls are the ones that fill right in. It was possibly the hardest I have played volleyball since the recent wedding. Of course the evening must end with some fun little cherry limeades and all the snacks from Bellstores and sitting outside and chatting. It was a highly energetic and enjoyable evening to say the least and I think we might have to have an “Episode Two.”
“Dear old world … you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”