So, it's been a busy week. Mostly with work and stuff, but other things have happened, too.
I couldn't get a job for Monday unfortunately, so my first day back was Tuesday...and what a day that was, man. I was at Rogers Elementary. I just can't catch a break at Rogers. I was teaching a third grade class there for the first time; I've done roving and 1st grade there, too. My day was going okay. I actually sent a kid to another classroom with a bunch of work because he was being disruptive. His name was Anthony. But there were more key players that were a handful as well that I had to deal with. Well, I kept a level head until after P.E. I introduced a game that mom taught me where you throw a ball somewhere far off and call on two numbers (the students are numbered) and they chase after it and once the one gets it, he or she has to bring it back without getting tagged by the other person. Well, since they were third graders, the running had gotten kind of physical. One boy even started crying (and I don't even think he was playing). Well, I just kinda lost it after that. Fortunately, they had recess right after, but I was in the classroom on bended knee praying that I'd get through the day. Well, let me tell you, the last 40 minutes of the day was quite difficult. Those kids just took over the last 15 or so minutes. In desperation, I tried some of the tools I could, but most of those tools were for 1st or 2nd graders, so they hardly worked. One kid was chasing another kid with a rock he had gotten outside, and another girl had taken out slime and put it in someone's backpack. Another student dumped out all the contents of another boys backpack on the floor next to his desk. It was just utter madness. I was so relieved when it was the end of the day. I feared, though, that they were going to stop me at the front desk with all the problems, but I passed through, handed them the keys, and said my goodbyes. Roger has not really been good to me.
I came home out of it. It was a Tuesday. Fortunately, Sarah comforted me and helped me relax before the piano teaching of the Guillen's kids I had later that day. I had my full mind while I was with them and I credit that to Sarah's loving care. Those kids are great, anyways, so, it isn't as bad as I guess it probably could be. I introduced Nearer My God to Thee to Benny Guillen, and later I heard him playing it on his guitar. Anyways, I always have felt good leaving their house. It's nice to talk with Vivi, the oldest daughter. She is a freshman at Kaiser High School right now, and she is a nice girl.
The next day I was at Sycamore Hills, where Edward and Benny Guillen go. The administration had put the whole school on Inclement Weather, get this, not because of the weather, but because there was a huge beehive stuck to one of the walls of the playground. It was minimum day, so they missed first recess, but lunch recess they were allowed to go outside, as long as they stayed on one half of the playground and because they had torn the beehive down. Crazy thing, the bees had all accumulated at the spot where the beehive located, but I had heard that the queen had been killed and that the bees would soon have to find another home. Plus, they wouldn't allow bees to be there in the first place.
I mention this, because later that night, at mutual, I saw both Benny and Edward, and I whispered to them what they thought about the beehive. They both just smiled and laughed and were wondering how I knew about the incident at their school. We played flag football as a Deacons, Teachers, and Priest Quorum in the cultural hall of the church. It is hard not to tackle people. You have to really give a conscious effort in doing so. And you know my left ankle, how it got banged up and I couldn't play tennis with you afterwards...well, towards the end, it really was hurting, and to this day has been in pain. I wasn't the only adult playing. The Young Men's president and counselor was to. Hno. Norriega (President) is a big guy, and I did most of my work blocking him from doing the stuff, and rushing after three-alligators. Needless to say, our team of five lost like 42-28 or something, but, besides my ankle, was a really fun game to play.
Mom and Dad invited us over on Monday to watch the NCAA Men's Basketball championship game of Villanova vs. Michigan. I think what dad said was accurate in that he wonders if BYU even has the stamina to play at the level these top two teams play. They get physical and it's crazy how good they are. Villanova dominated most of the last 3/4s of the game. So, there was a lot of down time to talk about controversial issues, like whether or not people who are in the USA should learn English. It got kinda hysterically heated. We had pizza from Pizza Hut. They were like small pan pizzas, but they were good. I had to take some times that night, because of the pizza and because of the hot wings.
It's finally getting hot, which is a good thing and a bad thing. We went to swim in our community's pool and the water was cold but after a while, it got bearable. Sarah taught me how to do the frog kick and the breast stroke because I had some questions. It was nice to be out there with my wife just relaxing. However, more from the flag football than from swimming, I was super sore the next days, and even am still sore now.
The reason I say it is a bad thing is that tomorrow it should reach the 90s. Mom commented to me today that she is on her field trip tomorrow on a hot not-well-ventilated bus. I feel for her.
For the young men, it is my month to teach. The subject of the month is The Apostasy and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I felt like I should get their feedback on how everyone's experience of conference was. Boy, those boys impress me. Some mentioned the story of the religious man on the boat that, through the spirit, advised the captain to travel at a certain speed and duration. He knew because he prayed. Others mentioned Solemn Assembly, others the calling of two new apostles. Others the changes wrought in the church, such as EQ and HP reunion and the Ministering. They all had something good and pertinent to say. I can't wait until next week to be with them again in a church setting.
Today, Sarah taught her class about Isaac and Rebekah. That story always amazes me. The servant was so faithful enough to pray to god for help regarding the issue of a mate for Isaac. And Rebekah was so humble enough to get the servant heaps of water for him and his ten camels.
We invited Chris Michael Acosta to our house for dinner and a movie yesterday. He's doing good, except I never know how to feel when I'm with him. We had a potato dish that Sarah instructed me to make. It was very good, for never having made it before. The movie we watched was Murder on the Orient Express from Redbox for 40 cents (I had a coupon). We also went to Target just for fun yesterday. It was a nice time to just relax and be out.
The temple is closed for the next two or so weeks.
Anyways, my other three days were good for work. Like Sarah told me the other day, "Jurupa Vista for the win." Because I was at JV on Thursday and Friday.
We're still planning on going to Disneyland on the 18th. We're looking forward to it.
Love you man, hope you are doing good and loving life.
Your Brother,
John
Oh, and I'm going to send you the first crossword puzzle that Sarah and I completed together in an hour. We've been getting better too.
Oh, and Sarah, our sister, picture got put onto BYU's Instagram, and as you can see from this picture, already accumulated like a 1000 likes. haha. Actually, last look said 6,445! Wow!
