Zumba instructor training!

So, I've been taking Zumba classes for almost three years, and I knew that from the day I took my first class that I wanted to be an instructor! Well, I was always way too busy to take the training, it was too far away, or I didn't have the money. Finally, I decided just to do it! So, even though this has literally been the busiest week of my life, I finally did the training and I am now a licensed Zumba instructor!

My training was in Hagerstown, Maryland, which is the closest I've ever seen to where we live. I got there suuuuper early, because I was excited. Thankfully, that meant I was first in line for registration which began at 8, which meant I was the first in line to shop for ZUMBA WEAR! I got some really cute stuff. I'm holding off on getting more until I actually start teaching though. :)

At 9:15, we began our MASTER CLASS! That was suuuuuch a fun experience. I don't think I have ever sweat that much in my life as I did in that class. After the class, there was just enough time to change clothes before our first lecture on rhythm/music. During every lecture/time we were sitting, I was shoving food and water down- definitely needed it to keep my energy up!

After our first lecture, we practiced put together a warm up routine. I learned sooooo much about fitness during this part, and I'm excited to put my new knowledge to use! He taught us a LOT of basic arm/leg routines. After the warm-up, we did merengue. There was very little sitting during this training. We were pretty much up and moving the whole day practicing our steps- it was tiring, but also exciting at the same time! We did merengue, salsa, cumbia, and reggaeton. There were about 15 or so different steps under each category that we learned, and then we put them all together. We also practiced cueing and cool-down. Finally, near the end, we were divided into groups and had to choreograph a part of a song. Then each group did a different part of the song and BAM- we had a new routine. That part was my FAVORITE! My favorite has been and will always be SALSA. ♥

Unfortunately, we didn't have time for a Q+A, but we were provided with so many resources that will definitely answer all of my questions. We were given so much! 6 CDs/DVDs, 2 books, and I joined the ZIN network, which will provide me with absolutely everything I need- including music and choreography!

Erick Santana was an awesome instructor! I'm so excited that, after three years of taking Zumba classes and wanting to take the instructor training, that I am finally now a licensed Zumba instructor! ♥

Some of the resources we were given.

CD/DVD set!

That set right there would cost a LOT of money.

I joined the ZIN network. Definitely an AWESOME choice!

And the inside of my ZIN kit.

My Zumba instructor license!

My real passion...a long time coming.

This is a post that’s been a long time coming, but I’ve been waiting to post it.

You see, I struggle with saying something, and then not following through with it. Which, when read, seems like a good thing to struggle with, but I’m actually not talking about honesty. I’m talking about dreams and goals. I am an introvert. Thus, it’s hard for me to say how I’m feeling. Now, I even more so don’t tell people things that I want to achieve in life, mainly, because things have changed a lot in my life. I’d rather not say “I’m going to do or be _______ when I grow up” because I feel like an idiot when I don’t end up doing or becoming ______. Perhaps for me it al relates to James 4:13-17:

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.” But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

You see, I feel like if I say something that I intend to do with my life, and then I don’t follow through, then I feel like I’m a total flake. I’m not the kind of person who “thinks out loud.” I process internally.

But, I’m going to go out on a limb, and begin writing about my ultimate passions. I went to a Bible school. I spent my first year in Spokane, Washington and LOVED it. There were only 150 students max at that campus, so it really was a great community. Then, I transferred to the downtown Chicago campus, as was my original plan. I would have stayed in Spokane, had they had my major (TESOL- Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Chicago was a really rough experience for me. My first year there, I lost every single one of my “friends,” and I lived in a dorm with only 4-5 upperclassmen. First off, I HATED dorm life. Second off, I really didn’t connect with anyone on my floor. Moving across the country at 18 years old really caused me to grow up fast, so going to dorm life with 18 year olds who hadn’t grown up and a roommate who hadn’t left her hometown (she was from Chicago), was just awful. But this is a rabbit trail, so let me get back to the topic at hand. However, many good passions came out of me going to Chicago, including what I am writing about.

Now, it’s unusual for a person to major in TESOL. Most people major in something else, and then get a certificate in TESOL. Several people I know have done this. But when I went to Thailand in 2005, and Ecuador in 2007, I KNEW that I wanted to major in this program, not get a certificate. I also wanted the Biblical education, as I knew I wanted to be involved somehow in international ministry. I thought that I would be a missionary, and that’s what I told everyone.

Well, the passion has not gone away. For the time, I know that God will not have Cody and I live overseas, but to instead (for me) to serve the international community in the US. Cody has never been overseas, and neither of us is feeling called to live overseas at this stage in our lives. This could someday change, but neither of us have felt God’s leading in this area. Cody really wants to be involved in the local church, but he doesn’t really have a geographical area of the US that he’s feeling called to. We know some places in the US where we don’t feel called to, but we haven’t quite received an answer from God as to exactly what he wants us to be! It has felt recently though, that it may not be in the present town that we are living in.

I LOVED my internship that I did last fall. I was interning at World Relief teaching English to refugees. I had interned there the previous year for my weekly ministry, but during this fall semester I was there two mornings a week. I was teaching the advanced levels with an extremely diverse class- I had students from Iraq, Iran, Bhutan, Nepal, Congo, Mexico, and Honduras. It was the greatest experience of my life. I loved my students and the entire experience. Here's some pictures!

One of my favorite students.

Now that Cody and I have moved back to VA, I’ve really been missing teaching English to refugees. I’ve been realizing over the past few months, that my true passion is humanitarian relief.It’s both a ministry and my passion. 


I have loved teaching ESL to kids, but it’s an entirely different world from teaching English to adults. Teaching ESL to kids is primarily teaching them how to read, which, while I do love, it’s not what I went to school for and it's not where my true passion lies. All of my classes and internships were geared for teaching English to adults. Teaching English to adults is amazing. These adult learners need to learn survival English, so, while you are teaching them how to read, you are also teaching them an entirely new language so that they can survive. When teaching ESL to kids in publics schools, they already know how to speak English. They primarily just need help refining their English and working on their reading skills. Adult ELL (English Language Learners) already know how to read, write, and speak in their native language, so you aren’t teaching them reading skills (generally). You are teaching them how to survive in America. This is my real passion.

World Relief is an incredible organization. Everything that they do is so amazing it brings me to tears. They have five main causes – stand for children, stand for women, stand for the displaced, stand for the devastated, and stand for opportunity. You can find out more information about World Relief on their website: worldrelief.org. They are one of the ten non-governmental, non-profit organizations that resettles refugees in the United States. The United States takes in a certain number of refugees a year. Just in case you aren’t aware, here’s a definition of refugee from the UNHCR: “Refugees have to move if they are to save their lives or preserve their freedom. They have no protection from their own state - indeed it is often their own government that is threatening to persecute them. If other countries do not let them in, and do not help them once they are in, then they may be condemning them to death - or to an intolerable life in the shadows, without sustenance and without rights” (from http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c125.html). Many of my students had lived in refugee camps their entire lives. Some of them were born in refugee camps. This is NOT okay…and I want to do something about it.

James 1:27- Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

My passion is to serve the displaced in any capacity. My dream job would to be teaching ESL part-time to refugees and to be a case manager (reception and placement officer) part-time. A case manager or reception and placement officer is the refugee’s first point of contact in the US. This is the person that lines up a place to live and employment (and other things) for the refugee (and their family if they were able to come).

Cody and I have been praying about it, and we are confident that this is the direction that the Lord is taking us- for me, to serve to displaced; for Cody, to serve the local church. Our hope and pray is that together the Lord will accomplish many great things through us and that our lives can impact others.

As far as a timetable goes...we have no idea. One of the difficulties of getting married young is finances, finances, finances. So, for now we will be content where God has us. Maybe in a few years when we are more financially stable, we will ready to delve into our ministry. The big question is location...as we will have to relocate. I'm trying not to limit myself to just working with World Relief, but I would love to work for a Christian organization for humanitarian relief, so we'll see. Right now, we are praying for direction as to what our next steps will be and where we will be. 


“If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

This week in pictures!

I take pictures of my life on a daily picture. They are usually very random or are a picture of Oliver. I have the worst memory, so taking pictures are how I remember to tell Cody something. Enjoy my week of photos!

I went out with my Zumba girls last weekend. It was fun to dress up and hang out with my girls!

He is so cute. I literally say that 30 times a day. People probably think I'm crazy, but he's just soooooo cute. I'm like the cat lady from the eHarmony video, except about yorkies.

I mean, he is just SOOOOOOOO cute. He's so snuggly, and literally the most loving dog in the world. I get all smiley just thinking about him. I really am like the cat lady. Scary, I know. Worth it? Yes.

We should probably have kids soon...hah. Sorry mom, but it won't be for a WHILE!

He's my study buddy.

Cutie.

His hips don't lie. But seriously...when dogs do that, it means they have good hips. 

He such a cutie. Such a respectful gentleman who waits to come into the bathroom until I tell him to come in...hah.

Convertibles are cool. Convertibles in the rain are not cool. Random commoner in the convertible, if you are reading this, I'm sorry.

So, I've always wanted a pair of Toms. I think that what they do by giving a pair of shoes to a child in poverty whenever you buy a pair of shoes is cool. HOWEVER, I have not ever spent $60-70 on a pair of shoes. Especially not on a pairs of shoes made of cheap-probably-made-in-china-crap. Payless has a brand that does the same thing. Yes, the quality is not as good as Toms. But spending $20 vs. $60-70 is a no brainer on a pair of very similar shoes with a very similar cause. So these are my Payless version of Toms. They're so cute and comfy!

On Sunday, Cody and I went to Petsmart to buy dog food and a toy for Oliver. This super sweet family was selling puppies. When we saw they looked like yorkies, Cody, without prompting, did a Jack Bauer move and turned the car around so we could see them. This little cutie was born in May. He's actually a silkie, but there's very little difference between a silkie and a yorkie besides a more defined snout and a calmer demeanor. They were a good family that had an accident between the mommy and daddy, but thankfully both dogs were of an excellent bloodline and were AKC registered. A dog of this caliber should have costed at LEAST $1500. They were selling him for $200! In case you don't know, I am passionately against puppy mills and backyard breeders, so for me to say that this was legit is saying something. We thought Oliver was from a good breeder, but we didn't do our research, and he ended up being from a backyard breeder, and we ending up spending close to $1000 on vet bills. To top it off, he also has a liver shunt, which is inoperable, so he is permanently on a no protein diet, and he will not live as long and healthy as we would like. We will love him forever. Cody and I wanted to give this pup a good home, but we couldn't because of our lease, so we tried to get my parents to buy him because she's been dying for a yorkie (a silkie would be fine too ;), but they didn't get him. I hope he gets an awesome home! He looks exactly like Oliver did at that age. Such a sweet little boy!

And here's our squash as of today! It's about 7 inches long! :)

Summer Academy 2011!

Summer school was phenomenal. Signing up for summer school back in the spring seemed like such a good idea at the time...I mean, hellooooo, extra money! But then the week before it starts, it doesn't seem like the best idea...I mean, my summer break was really only 6 weeks long. 6 weeks with not one vacation. 6 weeks with 12 undergrad credits and 6 grad credits. 6 weeks of being miserably busy! And then...summer school came with a BANG! But, at least I got 6 weeks to do all that, and I am thankful for that. I learned SO much this summer. Speaking of learning, I just read this awesome book for work called the "Five Dysfunctions of a Team." I'd highly recommend it! It only took about 1.5 hours to read, it was really well written, and it really got me to actively think about how important it is to be a team player. Read it!

But it really was such a great and fun experience. I really enjoyed it! I loved spending time with the kids outside of the regular school year and I think that it really built a bond between them and I. I have a substitute for tomorrow and Friday since I have new teacher orientation, and a couple of my kids were crying. It was sad- but sweet. Teaching summer school truly blessed me, and I am so thankful for a wonderful job with awesome teachers and wonderful students. On a plus, my body is now back in the routine of waking up at 5:30 or earlier...and I've been waking up naturally, without an alarm clock! :)

Here's some pictures of the week!

I got these flowers from a 2nd and 3rd grader. :)

On Monday,  I was teaching about Africa. So, during recess, without prompting, my kiddos found this! Such a proud teacher of her students!

I edited names and addresses out, but this is the work of a rising 2nd who had a LOT of difficulty with spelling last year. She wrote this by herself- I didn't help her spell anything. I am more proud of her than I think I have ever been of a student.

My theme was "Around the World in 10 Days." LOVED IT! I had the students create a passport on the first day, and they added stamps each day as we learned about new continents and countries. So fun! :)

I also edited the name off of this one. During writing for the past week and a half, we worked on an animal research book. The students all picked an animal, and we talked about the animals, and wrote about them. This was one of my favorite activities that I have ever done, and it was a HUGE hit with the kiddos.

This week.

I've been having a really great week of fellowship with God.

But of course when you start to experience such sweet communion with Christ, He throws some trials at you to test your faith.

That has been the story of my week.

First, my husband's contract for his job ended (like we expected, but we were praying it would get extended). To top that off, I don't get my first paycheck until the end of September, and even though we saved as much as possible to cover us until the end of September, we are still short about $1000 or so. So, we are back to praying. Not that we ever stopped, but we're back to praying every second of every day. Sometimes, it just really feels like God doesn't want us in Virginia...I mean, this was the third job we've lost in 8 months. We are praying, but it's easy to feel discouraged.

I am currently in grad school at Liberty. I love my classes, and I'm super excited about. Unfortunately, I don't feel the same way towards Liberty's financial aid office. I really do think that most schools financial aid/billing offices are so corrupt...but I find it ironic that two out of the three colleges I've to that are CHRISTIAN schools have literally worse financial aid/billing offices than the secular college I went to. Perhaps this is because we expect Christians to show grace, or even more so, to do their job right the first time?!

So, of course, upon acceptance to Liberty, they decided to select my financial aid for verification. Of course. And of course, I took summer class which is under the 2010-2011 financial aid year and fall classes which is under the 2011-2012 year. And I got selected for verification for both. Well, summer classes are almost over, and guess what school has a bunch of idiots that still hasn't processed my summer financial aid even though they've had all the documents? And now, it's going to take even longer because they mistakenly filed a 2011-2012 document under 2010-2011 and are refusing to remove the document until they've "reviewed" it and now I have to send in another document to get it removed? Oh, and guess who won't be able to take classes during the first 8 weeks (their terms are 8 weeks long) because they haven't processed my summer financial aid? And guess what that means...that means I get to take NINE credits during the second 8 weeks...while teaching full-time. YEAH RIGHT! 

Man, I yelled at that guy. He kept apologizing, but I was like, "Look, to be honest, your apology means nothing to be unless you get me registered for classes for these first 8 weeks. If you can't do that, then you aren't going to be let off the hook for making an idiotic mistake."

I'm still not registered for classes. I'm so upset and since I'm a former Pantalena...I'll eventually get what I want. ;)

But through it all, I will trust Jesus. He has always provided for us in the past, no matter how impossible the situation has seemed, and I know He will continue to provide. I'm so thankful for His unending love, and that He would choose to love my unlovable heart. Praise be to Him!

Teaching English to Refugees

I really enjoyed this blog post. Here's a preview of it...

"They straggle into the classroom, some early, some right on time, some a few minutes late. I don’t hold it against them. This is not the willful laziness of college. My students haven’t opted to sleep late or chosen to stand outside the door talking with a friend. If they are late it is because of their work or because one of the three buses they take to make it to the school was delayed.

My students have not come to the United States as travelers, but as refugees, as people without a home. They are far, far braver than me. They astound me with their courage. I am amazed that they still laugh, that they bother to ask me how my day was, that they mourn for each other’s losses when their own are at least as great. It is because of this courage, this joy, and this compassion that I spend every Tuesday night in the windowless basement room of a church. It is because I have been given so much in a world where so many are given so little that I do my very best to teach my students the difficult language of a country that perhaps one day they will refer to as home."

Gardening!

So...way back in June I posted a blog about gardening. Three out of my four plants died due to the extreme heat/late planting, but one squash plant survived and is awesome! The first picture of the bucket is my mom's method. It's pretty neat. The red colander was from the dollar store and keeps the dirt moist. You water the plants through the pipe until water comes out of the clear tubes out the bottom. If anyone wants to know the details of how to make them, let me know!

 

 So, funny story. Last week before the veggies started growing, I went outside and saw the following laying underneath the squash plant. I got really excited that a squash was growing, even though it had fallen off and wilted in the hot summer sun! I took it inside and put it on the counter to show Cody when he came home. When he came home, I told him to go in the kitchen and look at something really cool next to the sink. There was dead silence for 30 seconds. Then, Cody said "Umm...Katie...this isn't a squash. When I was taking out the recycling, the PEPPER fell out of the PAPA JOHN'S box, and I didn't have time to pick it up!" Oh my gosh...Cody and I were laughing harder than we ever have. SO FUNNY! I had even texted a picture of it to my mom earlier that day...LOL!

Hiking!

We went hiking to Bear's Den on Sunday. We got up at 8am, and decided to hike and have a husband/wife Bible study and donuts in the mountains. It was a much needed day trip! We have always wanted to become hikers/backpackers, so this was a fun start (PS- if anyone wants to buy me a later birthday gift or early Christmas gift of backpacking gear, I would NOT be opposed!)! After we went hiking, we went to lunch, and spent the afternoon at the city pool (which is AWESOME, by the way! Cody and I went down the slide 50+ times- even during adult swim...hah!).