Slice of Life Challenge Entry #14

“Today is your big moment. Moments, really. The life you’ve been waiting for is happening all around you. The scene unfolding right outside your window is worth more than the most beautiful painting, and the crackers and peanut butter that you’re having for lunch on the coffee table are as profound, in their own way, as the Last Supper. This is it. This is life in all its glory, swirling and unfolding around us, disguised as pedantic, pedestrian non-events. But pull off the mask and you will find your life, waiting to be made, chosen, woven, crafted.”  — From Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist

Last night, I recieved an e-mail from Nancy, another slice of life writer about a comment I left on her post! She also let me know that she enjoys reading my blog! I felt so encouraged. Well, she mentioned this author, Shauna Niequist in her slice, and I told her I was going to buy her books. She recommended that I start off with Cold Tangerines.

A few minutes later, I got out my dusty kindle and bought the book for only $3.99. Already, I can not wait to keep reading it. The first chapter, including the quote above has inspired me write today about my day. I love being able to write everyday for this challenge, because it is causing me to stop and reflect on so many days and moments I would often just brush by and not pay attention to. It’s allowing me to see the beauty in the world around me and the life that I’m living now. So here are some of my moments, big and small, from today.

It all started in a bizarre way. I woke up without the help of my blaring alarm clocks. I realized that my two lights had been left on from the night. I must have fallen asleep with my lights on (again). I checked the clock on my wall. Yes, it was 5am and I was wide awake. I never wake up this early. My alarm was set for 6am. I usually snooze and wake up an hour later. I lay back in bed, but sleep surprisingly doesn’t come to me. I decide to stay up and read, pray and get ready for school. I was in school by 7:25am. The hallways were still dark. I turned the lights and wake up the school.

After a busy morning of pi day (3/14) activities with my class and the other 5th grade class, a student support services meeting during my one prep, it was finally time for lunch. One of my students had memorized 266 digits of pi for the pi competition. I don’t think I could do that. I’m not even really sure how my students do it. My students are amazing!

The school day ends and I’m out running errands and preparing things for tomorrow. As I’m in the taxi going back home, I get an unexpected phone call from my friend back in New York. We catch up on life. It takes a while. I head off to my dentist appointment hoping it’s the last one, but at the end, I find out I have to come back again.  Then I’m off to catch a bus to the department store to eat at TGIF and watch the vow!

Oh and I forgot to mention, I’m kind of sick, my voice hurts and I could barely talk in an audible voice all day long. It’s ok though, because even though today was one of those days I was doing a million and one things, I am thankful for the small moments. I’m thankful for seeing one of my students genuinely congratulate the other student that he is the pi competition winner. My student then gives him a big hug in return. I’m thankful for the chat I had with one of my students from last year about The Hunger Games movie premiere in Korea.  I’m thankful for the laughter with friends over good food and a movie.