O.D.E. = optimal dining experience

jason & i headed up to p.f. chang’s for dinner tonight as he was upset to miss our CG boys’ dinner there last week.  instead of the 55 minute wait, we opted for the no-wait full-service patio to soak up even more of our already sun-filled saturday.  we only spent $20, but enjoyed chicken lettuce wraps, dan dan noodles & chan’s spicy chicken.  

apparently we were the random recipients of what their waiters call O.D.E.  free chan’s spicy chicken complete with their scrumptious sticky rice.  that’s right free!  if the kitchen has extra food, they send it out to a lucky table.  gracias, p.f.

 
Creative Space,originally uploaded by jaimelo.

it seems like a new theme of my blog, but i’m in the process of putting together a creative space upstairs. jason has his rockin’ studio of sorts downstairs. our good old friend, jacqueline came over the other day & said “your house is different every time i come over”. yep, jason & i like change.

we’re headed to dallas/waco this weekend for a juanes concert, visit with chad (high school buddy), visit with jason’s sis wendy & a stay with our good friends carrie & fernando to meet their new baby boy, jonas. plus, a side trip to ikea for more lights for my creative space! estamos emocionados.

 
three out of four,originally uploaded by jaimelo.

if you knew me about a year & a half ago, you would know that i didn’t think that craft & retreat were synonymous. then, i picked up knitting november 2006. knitting is highly retreatful even if i have a lot yet to learn.

this weekend, kelli planned a craft retreat for some friends at camp egan. we enjoyed simply having time together & being creative. i did some paintings. but man, sarah & lindsey rocked the paintings out! (if you happen to be a sibling of lindsey or i–don’t look at the flickr pics until you see our work firsthand) it was such a simple blessed weekend.

at egan, i was inspired by the artwork of our Creator. surprising wildflowers, trickling waterfalls, the swelling illinois river, the bright green plains of eastern oklahoma, the dogwoods & red buds showing off their stuff. oh to be like You, our Creator. surely You desire Your children to follow Your example & create!

a volunteer interpreter e-mailed me:  PS-I was wondering how you got your job, because I’m thinking I might want one like it someday… : )

here’s my response…it’s a good reflection on my new job:

How did I get my job?  Well…it’s a story for sure.  First you should know that organizing our district’s volunteer interpreters is about 1/20th of my job, so you may not like the rest of my duties!  :)  

I started teaching Spanish at Springdale High in 01.  Fast forward 3 more SHS years & 1 year teaching Spanish in Phoenix, and then I became the lead foreign language/ESL teacher at Har-Ber for 2 years.

 This past summer, I was offered my current position.  I haven’t ever really intended to do anything except teach Spanish (which I love to do!), it’s just with every new job I’m offered, it seems to make sense for me.  

So in my current position, I am a resource for Har-Ber teachers & extra support for students learning English.  I observe teachers & offer them feedback, model lessons, meet with teachers to lesson plan, conduct teacher trainings, ensure that ESL paperwork is completed, organize parent meetings, meet with struggling students, call parents & have the freedom to envision how to best serve our ESL students.

That’s maybe more than you wanted to know, but I’m all for sharing about what I do, because I love it.  I always say that I became a Spanish teacher because I loved Spanish.  I loved Spanish because I loved connecting with Spanish-speakers.  I kinda became a Spanish teacher by default, but now I am able to use my Spanish (plus my teaching experience) to help students, teachers & parents.  

Thanks for asking!  As it’s been a good reflection for me too.  :)  This year has been a hard transition for me as I truly miss the classroom, but I know I’m in the right spot.I am confident that you will find your niche too.  Just know it might take a while, but the process is fun!

a quick run-down for this your first day of spring:

•  how come i just discovered this?  simply amazing.  
• i just finished this scarf.  if your name is esther, don’t look until leah delivers!
• monday, our fun cousins andy & kerry visited us before their trip to d.c.  after a walk around lake fayetteville, we discovered the fun of the botanical gardens.
• sunday, mom & i planted lettuce, kale & onions, but after the torrential rains, i’m not sure the seeds are still intact.  should i replant?  what do you think?
• i’m taking a week away from www.facebook.com & i highly recommend you do the same!
• we are so grateful for seeing God at work in our church.  it’s been a looong wait, but His work is evident.  so His timing is worth it!  see Jason’s previous post.  this week couldn’t have come at a better time!  aw, sweet rest.
• and i’m off to do dishes!