Overflowing with Excitement!

Overflowing with Excitement!
Today has been the best day yet! Every morning I have a class with a teacher who is new and she is absolutely amazing. I don't know if it's because she went to school as a child so she knows fantastic Westside way of life or what but she is absolutely amazing! And I even get to go to her class twice! Throughout the day there are ups and downs; there was a time that I was in a teacher's classroom feeling like I was not doing what I has been called to do even though this year feels a thousand times better than last, I just wasn't sure about...about…. What am I saying? I'm sure about everything every day this year has gone so perfectly! I absolutely love my job and I absolutely love my life and everything so perfect! Anyway back to the story... I went into that teachers classroom (the teacher's classroom where I felt like I wasn't sure…) and she gave me a shout out to all of her students. She went on about judging people and telling all her students how they better not judge me because I have a story and if they have time to ask me about what happened... And they were so receptive. All of this happened so fast I didn't know what to think although I was able to describe to my housekeeper/ taxi driver what happened, it really had not sunk in.
Throughout the day I realized that I needed to purchase something but it's something that's not that easy to find. I found it once before at the Ross in front of my house but that was awhile ago and it was the only one. I decided to take my chances and go look at the store for another one but on the way I had checked my mail. In my mail was a replica of the ring I was given at the Star Trek convention because I do not want memories to be gone. Although I think the ring is a little smaller and isn't exactly the same, it still carries the memories! I was elated! Unable to focus on one thing,I was at the store where I tore open the package to find the ring but then I went over to the area of the item I was looking for and I only find one but I purchase two and actually there were maybe even three of the exact items that I needed! So to recap the teachers I work with are absolutely amazing, the replacement Star Trek ring arrived in the mail, a store had an overabundance of something I just discovered I needed today even daily happenings, finding the item in stock is rare, and when I finally made it to Starbucks to let my thoughts process, my favorite Bradley stopped by and listened to my whole story even though I was crying and probably not speaking clearly at all! I am so thankful for my absolutely amazing job. Everyday after having time to reflect on the events of each day, I am overflowing with excitement of all the wonderful things that I get to witness!

I Do it For Them?

I Do It For Them?
More than once, whether intentionally or unintentionally, I have been encouraged not to voice my opinion or thoughts. Today after Church and a brief visit to Starbucks, I had lunch and then decided to go on a hunt. I was hunting for something exciting to eat for dinner. I had already been to Safeway and realized they had set up bricks to grill blocking the way for wheelchair to have access through one route. I attempted to fit my wheelchair through the space and a catastrophe was created. I went around after explaining how they need to move it because although I can go on the street, not everyone that's in a wheelchair has that ability. Then I went on adventure to another store in search of different items. I was gone for quite a while and then I needed to go back to Safeway. I went back and they had not moved anything. While apologizing and giving what were probably viable excuses, I really began feel bad for raising search an issue. I was approached several times by different employees apologizing and saying that the setup will be changed.  As I mentioned, this really was not an issue for me, but for others who have no voice. After looking around the grocery store for a good hour, I was approached by an employee who thanked me for causing an issue about the location of the grill. I told him I was sorry that I caused such a problem and that it really isn't that big of an issue and he said that he had told them not to put it there but they did anyway. "Now maybe they will move it to location I suggested first. So after feeling really bad for causing such a ruckus, I learned that I am not necessarily only a voice for those who can't speak, but for those who can speak but are not listened to. I'm sure this going to ruffle some feathers and start a great conversation, but I hope it does. People, including myself, need to communicate more. Side note, my way of communicating is texting or writing so then I can reread it later and maybe I sent the wrong thing via text but it will be corrected in time. Time that will be sped up it is brought to my attention. After a very stressful day I am super excited to re-listen to today's sermon!

Fine Motor Skills in Your Feet?!?

I was extremely stressed about the weekend coming because I wasn't sure what to do. I thought it would be fun to go to the Friday Afternoon Club with my coworkers however prior obligations that I forgot about took priority. So after arriving home I decided to do something out of the norm and go to Starbucks to self-reflect (sarcasm about the change in the location of self reflecting will come at a later time). After rolling into Starbucks there was a bigger crowd for a typical Friday night but I had no complaints. I went over to the table designated for wheelchairs and the table next to it was occupied. I can't even remember what started the conversation which kind of leads me to think that I did not start it for once! Beware because after he reads this if this is read by him, I might be corrected. Actually I just remembered… he was wearing those sock shoes and I really want to know about them! Never before have I met another person who got super excited about something they were passionate about until I met this person. All those with working hard at the other table, he joined me and explain details about shoes.
Every tear and stressful thought about work left my mind -- sock shoes had now taken precedence. Everything starts somewhere so I need to start with marbles, pens, and other objects that will strengthen certain parts of my feet, maybe the fine motor skills of my feet!?! I will pretend practicing daily and I hope to be graduated to sock shoes soon!
Now I have our weekend planned and perhaps it's time to close up shop. See ya ‘round!

The Elevator Key!

I felt really weird at work today and I felt like everyone was talking about me just like a middle schooler… and I thought I lost my elevator key. Lost my elevator key? I was terribly upset and I was thinking of what could have happened. I mean I was thinking of every little detail - - the stories got a little confused as to had happened on consecutive days… was it when I went flying off to sidewalk onto an extremely busy road or when I was coming home from Starbucks when I was rescued by two women who were sitting in their car in a parking lot as I went calmly and patiently traveling towards Starbucks? On this trip the speed of my hotrod unknowingly accelerated and I flew off the seat into the grass tucking and rolling with toes pointed and everything? Hey, I'm doing really good at recalling stories on my way home. “I bet it got lost when I wrecked off the side of the road and it flew into to the grass last week.” what would happen when I  went back and have no elevator key? Oh no Kimi, the school is already short on elevator keys... I got home I looked on my teacher purse from last year and there was, my elevator key! Not only was this a huge relief, but it reminded me that I want to put my elevator key on my badge this year! Sadly a zipper broke off my last year's teacher's purse that I thought was indestructible so I had to order a new one. Oh! I ordered a new purse, that's right! Although it was supposed to be here a day or so late. I ran out to check the mail and what did I find but the new school purse! I got to spend quality time with my step-mom (well maybe only I consider it quality time) as she was rearranging all of the key chains and gadgets hanging off my teacher purse. What an amazing end to my day that was filled with utter excitement!

It's all about them toes, ‘bout them toes…

It's all about them toes, ‘bout them toes…
Getting back on my trike this morning I decided it would be good to save elliptical workouts for during the school year. After riding my trike while Grandpa kept track of my laps (now that I've been told that I have very horrible immediate recall, I recognize all the ways that I compensate for it but it's just the way of life, no biggie), I was off to get a pedicure. I arrived very early just to be sure that morning traffic would not delay my arrival and little did I know there was a much more exciting reason I left early. When I first got to International Salon Spa Academy there were a few co-workers there who helped me make a decision on a wonderful color polish. Of course they were checking out while I was talking to them and this caused me to draw very unfortunate conclusions.
I had a wonderful lady who gave me a pedicure and painted my toes with a wonderful yellow! After having a fantastic conversation while magic was worked on my weird foot, I was directed to a place for additional product to compliment with my new polish- excitement! As I was headed to the nearby store to get the additional product, I heard a lady chasing mw saying that I did not pay for my services. I turned around had my badge on and showed it to her and said I thought this was complimentary service to educators. She said oh well it is... What school do you work at? That is where I drew unfortunate conclusions. I thought that my badge was completely visible although I did have my huge black purse on and it was probably covering up my badge. I also assumed that talking with the other group of District 11 employees was a giveaway. However I do credit them in the fact that it was pretty busy. Because I was asked what school I work for and all of that jazz when I made the appointment, I didn't exactly know that you had to check out and it wouldn't be with the same person who checked in with and told your whole life story to. Next I wasn't ready to go home so I decided stop in a restaurant. Unfortunately it was very lightly sprinkling when I headed to the restaurant. I take awhile to decide even though I wasn't hungry so I was just going to get a drink and while I was deciding I received a text message that Esam and Asad wanted to take me out for dinner. By this time it was only lightly sprinkling so I knew I could race home and put up my hotrod.
During dinner we unintentionally met how many their friends and it was absolutely awesome! Our server could tell by by their accent that they are from where she is from or nearby. It warms my heart to see people make connections with others. Even though approximately 99.7% of the time Asad and Esam were speaking Arabic and I had no idea what they were saying, Esam would occasionally enlighten me. There were even times that he just told me what was going on. I would get extremely excited when things that Elias had taught me would resurface in my mind. It was childlike excitement when I would just blurt it out not having any idea what it meant, but it was the fact that I remembered!
My eyelids are growing heavier and heavier. Today I realized much like I do everyday that  I absolutely miss the students and the adventures of each day at work, and I am so ready to get back to some sort of schedule in life. It is wonderful that every day is scheduled for being unscheduled! I did have my summer as scheduled as possible, but that too was scheduled for being unscheduled chaos! Life is good :-)! It’s all about them toes because I have extremely beautiful yellow toes and I even was given the polish they used as part of the pedicure! Yay!

Reflection

On occasion I forget things in the microwave not finding them until the next time the microwave is used which is sometimes the next morning. After I went to the psychologist and he said that I have no memory, he continued and wondered how I hold a job and am in the living situation I am. This explains so much of my life; the crazy idiosyncrasies I have are making so much sense. Whether it is because I'm noticing more often when I forget things or perhaps it is the self-fulfilling prophecy taking over (my favorite psychological term learned).            
This afternoon, after trike riding I was going to make something for lunch. I found something amazing and put in microwave but while it was warming up I opened the fridge and found something else that I thought I better eat. Forgetting about what was in the microwave I turned on the stove and begin to cook. Out of sight, out of mind! So again it's reinforcing (to myself) why I travel around work with my schedule visible to me at all times.
This also explains why I have several alarms going off my phone to remind me of one event. The  appointment with my psychologist seems to be something I will reflect on constantly.

Right on Track!

Right on Track!
Feeling a little off today, I got almost completely ready for church, opened the door and it was pouring, I remembered that I had done things out of order and went to brush my teeth. When I looked back outside before turning on my computer so I could listen to Church on the internet, the rain had stopped! Talk about instant answer to prayer!  Just like The Exodus account of Moses parting the Red Sea but on a smaller scale.
      A lot of things were mentioned today and it seemed like God speaking directly to me encouraging me to be patient. On the converse it was mentioned how things may not seem to be going your way but God has something far better. Whether it's only the timing that's not right or a whole host of other variables, it's just not part of His perfect plan.  It was said that the pastor was waiting for someone who would put up with him. Now that this has been accomplished, it is so awesome that Pastor Brian is celebrating his 35th Anniversary and I I am very excited for Pastor Brian and Janine.
           So far this blog has taken me about 3 hours. I start crying uncontrollably… but then laughing at myself hysterically. I suppose this might be what is referred to as the hard part of trusting God, knowing that He has the best planned for you but it will occur in His time. His time? When I first wrote that before I had to take a break I was going to go direction of "when will His time be wa wa wa," ch but on my break God showed me a picture of I do not want when looking back over my life. I could settle now or wait. I choose to wait because my heart must have changing to do.
I am no longer feeling a little off. After spending so much time in my mind (a pretty scary place to be as I was reminded today) I guess this is exactly what I needed, I am right on track!

School starts this week and although I was nervous the other day as I talked with other educators, now I'm super excited and can't wait!

Field Trip!

Field Trip!
After being invited to go on a field trip with my mom and nephew, I set aside my Starbucks time and agreed to go. Although I really didn't seem like my type of adventure, my experiences today definitely altered my preconceived notions. With that being said, I was off to the Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center. In the recent past God's been changing my heart. I do a lot of things that I never would have seen myself doing. Besides the incentive of going out to lunch, which is a huge plus in Kimi’s life, I thought of the quality time I'll be able to spend with my mom and my nephew! I am definitely learning that spending quality time with people is priceless!
While on this priceless field trip I was able to be educated about topics that I would not have even dreamed of  by my nephew. I was given ample time to learn new things as the traffic when we first left was that a basic stand still. After getting to the art center I was able to brush up on my animation and comic book history!
History? Comic book history nonetheless? You got that right! To realize that superheroes and comic books actually had a was astonishing. You mean they didn't start out as we see them today... Who would have thunk? Okay okay so I did get to pose with one of my favorite men, Superman and pretend that I was a superhero with my own cape. However we all know that I am Wonder Woman (aka Wobbly Woman), I just spend most of my days incognito. Watch closely because the wobble cannot be hidden. Spending additional time at the Rock Shop gave me much time to think... I thought about a lot of different ideas but that's another story for another day, probably not a day in the near future.
After the rock shop we stopped at an amazing restaurant before heading home.
After getting home I took a long nap so unfortunately it is 11 at night and I am wide awake. I woke up from my nap crying uncontrollably for an unknown reason... Was I really crying because I didn't get any Starbucks today? That would be funny if it is the case. I hope I get up early enough to go to Starbucks before church tomorrow because I have to get my swimming gear after Church. I'm beginning to feel a little anxious about work starting back up but I am super duper excited about the changes in documentation... Okay that's silly! I guess that means I should close this blog before I ramble on about nonsense. I suspect that will be the last field trip for the summer, but you never know! See you ‘round!

Tearful Encouragement!!

Awake at 2 in the morning I really didn't want to be awake so I didn't want to go work out quite yet so I got on my phone  to see who was online and text them. I occasionally get scolded for doing so; this is something I need to stop doing because most of the world is not awake. Although I'm glad to have a few friends that work overnight who don't mind however I don't think so clearly in the morning occasionally text those friends. I tossed and turned a little too long and when I got up to go workout I worked out and then when to Crunch Fitness to swim the day was pretty uneventful but I had no clue what was yet to come.
I was headed to Dick's Sporting Goods to find something to aid in swimming laps. When I started to wheel by Safeway, there was a man who the Holy Spirit arched me to speak to. His name is Greg and he goes to Calvary Worship Center! Calvary Worship Center? I love listening to Al Pittman! Alright so this may not be exciting to anyone else but this is why I named this Blog The Simple Things- it is the simple things like being able to make any sort of connection to previous knowledge that gets me oh so excited.
Greg and I went to Starbucks to get know each other a little and after he started telling me about how God spoke to him as a child, this Divine appointment became apparent. While I was there I saw an acquaintance, Rich and was able to talk to him for a couple minutes. I forgot his name right after I had asked him and he played the name game with me and I loved it :-). Having people help me work on my memory is occasionally fun.
I ran into Ian, the Automotive teacher, who is also a regular wish made me feel like always right.  I wasn't exactly sure why I was there and we can stink that maybe it was just because I wanted to get out of my house. I text-talked to Daymon and learned a little more about him working at Rocky Mountain Health Care Services. I didn't know that I could show my daily motion roller coaster over text, but that I did :-(.
After sobbing for a while and a lady came over to me and said “Kimi!” she said that she had my book and wanted to get it signed sometime and continued by saying that she's the one who honks when I'm traveling down the road in my wheelchair. She thanked me for doing that because it encourages her disabled son. Talk about crying oceans -- I inadvertently hate to be reminded that God is using me for His glory to encourage other people everyday just like I am.  This is a terrible ending to blog, but I am super tired and super excited about going to the museum tomorrow with my mom and nephew and I promised myself to blog everyday so That's all folks! See you ‘round! Note proofreading might happen tomorrow.

Tomorrow's Blog

Tomorrow's Blog
Monday morning I wasn't awake at the random 2 in the morning, the normal 4:30 in the morning, I wasn't even awake for the next few hours. I finally got up feeling very groggy thinking that I may have the keto flu? Keto flu, I don't know but that's all I need is another name or explanation for my crazy life. After making it to the workout room I was blessed by seeing neighbors that I've seen a few times but never really talked to. Pam and Gary were such a blessing, after finding out they are from Louisiana, their Southern hospitality and kindness all made sense. Just before leaving the vicinity of the apartment complex I decided I should eat breakfast, eggs meat and cheese sounded amazing! While I was cooking I was very relieved to remember that only I would be the only one consuming the food being prepared because realized something was terribly wrong but I demolished it anyways and headed out the door. I don't need no professionally cooked food (to be read with the “[I] don't need no stinking badges” twang from The Treasure of the Sierra Madre movie). I arrived at the office and although it was a pretty warm day, I was freezing cold. Even though I had a jacket behind me, I kept having the urge to leave because it was chilly. Every time (approximately every 5 seconds) that I would think “I'm going to leave” I would look at my calendar and realize that I had a meeting at Starbucks at 2:30… people may think I am exaggerating this but it's more funny because I'm not. There was the first incident of trying to leave when luckily I looked at my phone and did not leave. The next time, I drank my tea and I was talking to the Barista, Brian. After our conversation, I was ready to go when an alarm went off and reminded me again that I have a meeting at Starbucks soon. I finally decided that if I spread out my belongings everywhere, before I had time to put it all away, my appointment would arrive. Luckily I had waited at Starbucks long enough that the original nervousness I had when I first met depression I had my appointment with was gone. The first time we met was at the same place at the beginning of her semester. She was going to school at UCCS and was in the nursing program. It had been quite a while, well a semester to be since we first met. I was so excited when she called me and was available to meet; she explained unique struggles and the difficulties she faces dealing with Lyme's disease. Although I had been introduced to this by a gentleman I met at Chick-fil-a previously, Lyme's disease affects everyone uniquely. I can't even begin to imagine what she has had to deal with going through college although I do my best and try to remember what I dealt with as I want through college. Sometimes having a brain injury is so hard… the day-to-day struggles are enough to knock you down and keep you there, but hold fast because the story's not over yet … but wait, there's more :-)!
After creating unnecessary commotion to get free ice cream because it was the 31st, I ended up back at Starbucks next to Baskin Robbins after a meeting... Oh no I'm just realizing I have written part of this blog totally different but it'll be okay. My days are all confused because I ended up back at Starbucks and met Esam and Asad but that wasn't the day I met the amazing D-11 superintendent... or was it? It is recorded in my journal but all this happened on the same day which might explain my sleeping wait... I knew today would be crazy so I slept late, in preparation for the day.
Can you turn that same day  was the reception for Michael Thomas, the new superintendent for school district 11. Before going into the building I ran into my Aunt Jan. I get overly excited every time I see her at any sort of District function… it's like her and I working in the same district is novel (it's not, it's been the case for the past five years I believe).
After meeting Michael Thomas and learning about him, I can say this after copying it off of District page “Mr. Thomas comes to D11 from Minneapolis Public Schools, where he served as chief of schools. He has also served as a district coordinator for equity and integration, an elementary and secondary principal, and as a social worker at the elementary level.

Mr. Thomas is excited to be a part of School District 11 and looks forward to continuing the positive work being done in our school district.”

https://www.d11.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=13&ModuleInstanceID=1649&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=30326&PageID=19

I encourage anyone and everyone who has a child in District 11 to meet the current superintendent! From what I know from the one time I met him, he is such a personable superintendent! I was very surprised when my friend said she would pick me up from the reception! Nonetheless, Jaimie and I we're soon off to dinner. I thought I would not have the energy to make it through something else after the reception, but spending time with Jaimie was so encouraging and uplifting! She explained her struggles and successes over the last semester and the possible directions of her future. I am so incredibly proud of the wonderful student and educator she has been!
Finally writing this blog the day after I met he superintendent, I was going to bring this blog to an end  when Pastor Brian Michaels came into Starbucks and soon after Pastor Eric Cartier came in and sat right next to my table with a friend… it is so amazing how God orchestrates every second of the lives of His children. I was having such a “ poor pitiful me” moment and was ready to go home. When I overheard the struggles of other people. I thought Kimi, put on your big girl panties….so after processing all those thoughts, it's my big girl panties I have on!

Tonight I had the most amazing helper and hopefully she's going to be my helper both days for a while. I'm getting a little tired however I do want to mention why I titled this Tomorrow's Blog. In the last blog I wrote I said that I would tell you about the excitement that happened in tomorrow's blog. Although this may not be awesome to anyone but me, my homeroom teacher from high school, my cheerleading coach, my unknown mentor connection me with a student who is interested in writing a book about his disability. That may turn out to be nothing, but you never know because everything starts somewhere!