The Little Things

Institute is hard. We were warned well in advance that it would be intense, but there is just no way to grasp how intense until you are here. I have been non-stop from 4 am until at least 9 pm, and was up planning four lessons until 1 am last night. But I distinctly remember praying for rest last night, because I knew three hours of sleep wouldn’t get me through the day. And lo and behold, God delivered. I haven’t felt this energized since day 1. I think part of it was because we had an exciting new element to the day: our kids arrived! They came to school to start their formal reading assessment so that we can figure out what grade level they are at and set goals for their improvement. We got to help administer the assessment so it was a fun change of pace. Chaos broke out when it was dismissal time, though, and 800 kids were corralled into the auditorium to either ride the bus, be picked up, or walk home. The problem: there was no system in place, and no one knew how to get the kids to the right places. Most of the CMs (corps members) were in a session about classroom management, ironically enough, so we didn’t see the madness, but we heard it was pretty stressful.

I’m learning to find joy in the small things. For example, my friend Krista missed the bus to school this morning because she was running late, so she had to make the hour long drive in her own car. This was a treat for the four of us from ENC that stick together, though—on the way home, we got to ride with her in an air-conditioned car! It was such a nice relief from the crowded and often non-air-conditioned buses, not to mention good time for four of us to share stories of the day. Plus, we got beat the rush to the dining hall and actually sit at a meal for more than 10 minutes!

I’m also finding the morning bus ride to be somewhat enjoyable. I spend a little time reading Scripture, listening to music, praying, and preparing for the day, and sometimes getting in a quick nap. Things that I’ve been having a hard time finding time to do.

I get so excited to see people that I know from ENC on the hall or on campus because we are all so busy. Those moments make me happy; it’s great to be in community. It’s the little things that I’m learning to grasp onto here at Institute, and I’ve heard that will remain true throughout my teaching career. God’s already teaching me lessons to carry into my new career.

I’ve talked to a few people from home, and everyone keeps asking me, “How is Mississippi?” It’s an interesting question. The idea of Mississippi is great. The people love Teach for America here, and we already have events in our honor over the next month—a catfish cookout tomorrow night and a 4^th of July celebration. The people are warm, welcoming, and always smiling. But the state itself—not my favorite. It’s at least 100 everyday, with a heat index much higher. The mosquitoes are unbearable. I have 20 bites on one foot alone—I look like I have chicken pox. We are constantly itching and scratching and squashing. We can’t even eat in peace; they’ve invaded the dining hall, too. It’s pretty much miserable to be outside at any given point during the day. After work tomorrow I will be begging someone with a car to drive me to Walmart for bug spray—I can’t stand it anymore.

Only 4 more days until my first lesson as Ms. Hiltunen—holy cow!