Love & Hugs

I must preface this by saying that indeed, warm blood does flow through my veins, I promise.

However, if I hear one more "I love you" or see another hug exchanged betwixt the high school students whom I am so privileged to teach, I might ralph right in the middle of the floor. At this point, I'm just throwing up in my mouth a little. One more though and it's projectile FOR SURE!

Hugs are exchanged literally for no reason at all. The hug is the new "Hi!" Seriously, it's almost like a glancing blow: going from class to class, instead of "Hey, how's it going? Cool, see you in World History!" It's, "Hey, love you!" whilst hugging and pressing bodies together.

I'm not sure why it bothers me so much. I mean, on the one hand, I think sometimes I'm just sickened by the fact that some of the boys take advantage of (often) innocently given hugs from their friends that are girls. And, there are NUMEROUS ways to express affection, care, concern, coolness, etc. without saying "I love you." Probably, if I'm being honest with myself, I think sometimes I just kinda get embarrassed for them. I remember things I said to people I thought I cared about and looking back, I cringe thinking I was so flippant with my affection.

Really though, it's probably not that big of a deal. It could be worse of course. They could be kicking each other in the chins and saying "Bite me!" every time they see each other.

I guess I'll just have to make peace with love...:)

Up to the Mountain...

I know so many people that admire Martin Luther King, Jr. Certainly said people admire him for various reasons that likely represent values or characteristics that really resonate with them.

I think I admire and respect him for everything he did and said but above all, I admire him for his determination and the decision he made every day, multiple times a day, to live by example, to embody and represent what he desired to have most: love and peace. It is no coincidence that his impact and influence are so great because he lived his mission. He lived the life he wanted others to live. He was genuine and humble and saw each human as a creation of God and deserving of the love and respect that we all owe each other, at Christ's command.

A few years ago, I heard the song, "Up to the Mountain" by Patty Griffin (my favorite artist). It was inspired by Dr. King and his last speech. The lyrics convey the meaning of his life for me: he was obeying God's command for him to bring peace and love by living a life of service and love for others. Thank you Dr. King for your example. Here's the video. The lyrics follow below.



the lyrics:
Up To The Mountain (MLK Song) lyrics

I went up to the mountain
Because you asked me to
Up over the clouds
To where the sky was blue
I could see all around me
Everywhere
I could see all around me
Everywhere

Sometimes I feel like
I've never been nothing but tired
And I'll be walking
Till the day I expire
Sometimes I lay down
No more can I do
But then I go on again
Because you ask me to

Some days I look down
Afraid I will fall
And though the sun shines
I see nothing at all
Then I hear your sweet voice, oh
Oh, come and then go, come and then go
Telling me softly
You love me so

The peaceful valley
Just over the mountain
The peaceful valley
Few come to know
I may never get there
Ever in this lifetime
But sooner or later
It's there I will go
Sooner or later
It's there I will go

So, I went back to school this week (Monday for teacher in-service; Tuesday with the kiddos). After a mere 2 days in the trenches, we have a snow day today. So far, I've seen about 2 flakes. Typical Nashville weather. A lot of bark but rarely any bite.

However, I'm not complaining. In fact, a whole day of nothing (not really) to do leaves all sorts of options for amusement.

Option 1: Sleep late
-a no-go because somehow Tie locked Scout out of the bedroom after he took him out this morning. so, I wake to Scout snorting and grunting at the bedroom door to get in. He comes in...proceeds to root around in the covers and burrow himself into a little, cover-consuming ball of fur.

Option 2: Play in the snow
-also a no-go. See above.

Option 3: Enlightenment
-read Foreign Policy's first annual 100 Global Thinkers of 2009 edition whilst listening to "On Point" on NPR.
-result: I feel stupid, uninformed, pessimistic and hungry. solution? see Option 4.

Option 4: De-enlightenment
-watch E!
-result: guilt, increased hunger.

Option 5: Sudoku
-from a book from Dollar General
-result: winner!