Sittin' In A New York Coffee Shop

     Today is the last day of my TEFL course!  Although it included tons of tedious paperwork, lesson planning,  and only a few hours of sleep each night, I am definitely walking away with a lot of knowledge.  I feel that this course prepared me well for any future experiences teaching English and even teaching my Kindergartners.  I met really interesting and fun people that made the course even better.  It's strange to think that we will all go back home and to our normal lives and never see each other again.  I am thankful for email and Facebook for connecting us to people so far away.  I was suppose to teach this morning, but my student called and said she wasn't coming.  I was a little relieved because I didn't have much prepared.   So, I'm sitting in a coffee shop watching the people walk by with their umbrellas in the rain.  Its a cool thing because all the times I pictured myself in New York I saw me sitting in a coffee shop, watching the people walk by and being surrounded by skyscrapers.  It has really set in that my adventure here has come to an end.  4 weeks have gone by so fast!  I was able to do many things here but even in 4 weeks you can't see everything.

     Several people have asked me if I want to live here.  I love this city!  This concrete jungle still amazes me everyday.  There is so much to see and do here that it will be hard to adjust from a city that offers everything back to a small town in Oklahoma.   Have I mentioned fashion?  People know how to dress well here.  However, I can think of something that NYC doesn't have, and that's all the amazing people that I dearly love back home.  If I could move you all here, it would be the best! lol!  For me, it's the people that make it home, not the place.  I think it would be awesome to live here for a couple of years but my heart will always belong to Oklahoma:)

     I don't have a real specific plan for my last 2 days.  I do know my friend Mark has ordered me that I must eat a hot dog here, so that's on the agenda.  Tonight, Mariah and I are going to see Batman!  I'm really excited because I just recently saw Anne Hathaway on Jimmy Fallon, so it will be neat seeing her on the big screen after a real life encounter. I'm silly I know.  We were going to go to SOHO for some shopping but may have to move it to tomorrow if the rain doesn't let up.  Tomorrow we will be going to the Bronx zoo, the MET, and then home to pack.

I will be arriving in OKC on Sunday around 1:00 PM.  My friend Jenn will be picking me up and I'm so excited to see her.  I hope that I can get connected with most of you before school starts and catch up. I'm going to have to get started right away on my classroom too!  School is just around the corner.

Oh! One more thing.  I wanted to let you know how I did on the final.  It took my two hours to complete, but there wasn't any questions that I had no clue on.  Most questions were multi-faceted so there were a few that I didn't answer completely.  I am sure I passed, but I don't think I'm going to get to see me grade.  I would really like to see how I did after all that work.  Maybe I can get her to send it to me.

It's about time for me to get to class for the last couple of hours.  See you all soon!

Friday the 13th!

Greetings!  I'm am sorry I haven't updated my blog, lately.  I don't think I've ever done as much work as I have in this class.  The long days still continue as I cram lesson planning, observations, self-evaluations, materials projects, and reading assignments.  I don't get to bed most nights until 12:30 or 1:00 and have to wake up and 6:30.    I don't get to do much during the week so I use the weekends to tackle my list of things to see and do.  Although it is a lot of work, we have fun in class...when I'm the student or the teacher.

Last weekend, Mariah and I went to the 9/11 Memorial.  I was very surprised what had still not been done.  The memorial has the North and South pools where the towers once stood and the survivor tree.  The museum wasn't finished so it didn't take long to look around.  From the outside the new towers look like they are almost finished.  We visited a couple of churches where the rescue workers and volunteers would go for food and rest.  It was hard to imagine that 11 years ago so much turmoil happened in the place we were standing.  St. Paul's church has a banner hanging inside from Oklahomans sending encouragement and hope.  We walked down Wall St. and saw the New York Stock Exchange and another bride.  That makes 4 I've seen so far, but having it on Wall St sounds strange.  Saturday, we went to see the Broadway show "Chicago."  It was wonderful!  The set was simple with the orchestra on stage and a small cast, but it didn't take away from its entertaining factor.  I recommend this one or Wicked it if you're ever in NYC.  I looked through a few exhibits at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Sunday.  It is huge and there is not way you could do it in a day...or even 3!  I plan on going back sometime this week.

Jump forward with me one week to today, Friday the 13th.  I'm not what you would call superstitious, but there are many times I seem to have some rotten luck.  But today was the opposite.  After class today, Mariah and I went to the taping of the Jimmy Fallon show.  I was like a kid in a candy shop sitting there in that seat just watching how they make it all happen.  Anne Hathaway was gorgeous as always did a hilarious scene with Jimmy before making her official appearance.  There weren't any audience shots that I can recall being in but that didn't matter when I tell you what happened at the end of the show.  So, Jimmy signed off and then ran through the aisles to give high-fives, handshakes, and autographs.  I was sitting in one of the last few rows he would greet, waiting patiently to get some physical contact.  The girl in the same row got an autograph and then he quickly past me and hugged the girl in front of me.  I held out my hand for a handshake but he hadn't even noticed me.  Then, he looked up at me and shook my hand.  But the best part was when he looked back and leaned in to give me a hug.   Mariah said my face was priceless and that moment for me was priceless!

I promise I will put up more pics and update my blog sooner rather than later, but the lobby is closing now and I have to get ready for bed.  I am going to see the Statue of Liberty tomorrow:)  Goodnight my dear friends.  sweet sleep!

New York State of Mind

Hello friends!  It has been very busy the past couple of days.  The work load in my class has more than doubled since the first week.  There are so many forms to fill out for every section of the course.  I wake up at around 6:15 and get home no earlier than 9:00.  After I teach a lesson, I have to complete a self-evaluation, class lasts until 3:30. Next, I plan for my lesson the following day, and then stay during the evening lessons for my observations.  The work is very tedious!  Creating lesson plans and teaching ESL students is very different than preparing and teaching Kindergarten.  It has a different structure and I am reteaching myself parts of speech, rules of grammar, phonology (all the "stuff" I was taught in elementary school, except I don't remember all this terminology).  In fact, its hard to write this blog without thinking..."Oh, that's the noun with the modal verb and past participle," or "Is this sentence in the perfect present or the present continuous?" Don't even get my started on adverbs, articles, and prepositions! LOL! I suppose this is a good think, but it takes a lot of work.

    Last Friday, I visited the Empire State building.  I really wanted to arrive to see the sunset from the top, but I didn't make it in time.  It wasn't a very good experience.  I'm glad my first time to go to the top of the Empire State Building was in December with Jana.  We did not have to wait in any lines to go up and it was not crowded.  We got to freely roam to any side to see the view.  This time, I was fighting through the crowds just to get a glimpse of the city.  I'm glad I have my first memory to hold on to.

    
     I'm continuing to meet great people, see different places, and try new things. Ashley and I went to a fine-dining restaurant within Bryant Park late Friday night.  It was my first time to try Guzpacho and muscles.  I thought Guzpacho tasted like cold salsa and the muscles  like cleaning products.  Maybe I'm the only one that thinks this way.  Apart from my opinions of fine cuisine, I am proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone.

My classmate and friend Ashley from Venezuela

                                          

I tried to go to the Hillsong United church on Sunday, but was unable to attend because there were too many people!  I just think that is crazy!  I couldn't go to church because there wasn't enough room.  I was very disappointed.  I plan to try again next Sunday:)

After class yesterday, I went to Bryant Park where they were showing the Wizard of OZ.  This is one of my top 5 favorite movies.  There were tons of people sitting on the lawn with their kids, friends, and family.  I thought how lovely it would have been to watch it with someone, but exhaustion quickly kicked in and had to go.  However, I did get to see the scene where Dorothy sings "Somewhere Over The Rainbow." Take a look below.  Thank you to those who have kept in touch with calls, fb posts, and texts.  Even though I am staying pretty busy, its nice to hear a familiar voice that cares.

Sweet sleep everyone!
B

Big City Life

I'm really enjoying the city!  People are everywhere!  Men and women are focused on getting to work quickly and there is no time to stop.  I'm usually distracted by those I'm passing.  I feel quite plain amongst all these beautiful people.  Their style has the New York signature fashion.  Most commuters have their ear buds in and shades on...whether in sunlight or on the subway.  It's just a different kind of world and I like it!

The weather has been delightful here this week.  Yesterday was probably the best!  It was about 85 degrees and sunny with a breeze.  Perfect. After class, I visited the New York Public Library and walked through Bryant Park.  

I'm really enjoying my class and making new friends!  We will begin teaching next week and I'm nervous.  My partner, Isabella, and we will be preparing lessons for a level 4 class and also a class for an ESL student's children.  I'm happy about that because I will have a chance to experience what it is like to teach young learners with limited or no English.  Gisela is going over parts of speech, methodology, grammar, and phonology.  It seems to be one my forte.  At the end of class today, we played Jeopardy.  The team captain picked me first to be on their team (I don't think I've ever been picked for anything first) and I got most of our team's points.  I got a lot of compliments from my classmates.  It made me feel really good.

I stopped to grab a bite to eat this evening and got hit on by my waiter.  He gave me his number and told him to call me if I wanted to hang out.  Don't freak out (not my type), I'm not going to call him but it was flattering.    Well, I suppose I will do a little studying and then off to bed.  Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.  Anyone have suggestions on where I could go this weekend?  Keep in mind I've already done a lot of tourist attractions.

In front of the New York Public Library

The statue of the lion Patience.

and this one is Fortitude.

The Teacher Becomes the Student

I started class at the TEFL Institute, yesterday.  My instructor's name is Gisela.  She is from Germany so I thought it was a bit strange that she was teaching this class on how to speak English.  She has an accent so it helps me focus on what she is teaching.  She told us that she was going to teach us a foreign language so that we would know what a student learning another language would feel like.  She decided to teach us Russian.  I have to say I was pretty stressed and found it difficult to remember phrases and words or get the correct pronunciation right.  Some of my classmates caught on well, but learning a second language doesn't seem to be my forte.  I had lunch with my classmate Ashley.  She's really nice and from Venezuela.  I thought she was probably my age, but she is actually 36 with a husband and 2 kids!  She does not look 36.  After lunch, we continued with learning a foreign language but she had those that could speak another language go up and teach the class.  I couldn't tell you anything I learned it was that confusing.

Today, we went over things like classroom management and grammar.  That was more up my alley, of course.  I felt a little more confident than the first day.  Gisela taught us some more Russian but she wrote the words on the board and told us how to sound out the words.  Being able to visualize it was helpful.  I had pizza with a few of my classmates at a pizza place.  It was really good, but can you believe most places here do not serve Dr. Pepper.  It's mostly Coke or Pepsi...but seriously. lol! We went over parts of speech, which was a good refresher for me and then had to take this insanely long grammar test but it was easy (although do not feel free to correct me on any grammatical mistakes as I'm sure there are many).  I took the subway home and grabbed some dinner and now about to go to bed.

The residence is great! I have a nice room and facilities.  Everyone is really nice and accommodating and its a great part of town.  I like that it is just a few blocks from the park.  You wouldn't believe how many people are there just laying out and resting in the grass...something you don't see much here.

Sweet sleep!

Unexpected Travels

Wow friends!  You won't believe what has happened thus far!  I'll start Friday morning at 2:00 AM.  I woke up and got ready to catch my flight leaving at 5:55 to Chicago O'Hare airport.  Things went pretty smoothly from OKC to Chicago.  Our next flight, leaving to Newark was to take off at 9:00 arriving at 12:55.  We waited awhile and they told us our plane was having mechanical issues...something with the rutter.  That seems pretty important so I was a little nervous.  It reminded me of the scene in friends when Rachel is going to Ross and Emily's wedding.  Phoebe tries to persuade Rachel to get off the plane by telling her something is wrong with the "left filangy." lol:) Soon after our flight was cancelled, everyone bolted to customer service to rebook another flight.  I managed to get a flight leaving at 5:20.  Andrea and Barbara would be flying out at 7:40.  So here we are at in the airport waiting for 7 hours.  We found out that there was an electrical fire in an air traffic control tower which left many flights delayed or cancelled.  There was even planes that got to NY but had to turn around and come back to Chicago.  All I could keep thinking was that so many things have gone wrong and it was just my luck that this would happen.  I seriously started to doubt if this was what God wanted me to do.  My 5:20 flight got delayed to 5:40, then 6:15, 6:30, and then I finally boarded at around 6:45.  I landed in Newark at 10:15 and decided to wait for Andrea and Barbara.  I went to claim my baggage but it had not reached there.  They told me it would be up to 3 hours before I could get it.  So I decided to have them send it to the residence I was staying in.  I could not contact the residence because it was after hours so I stayed at the hotel with my friends.  All I had was my carry-on so I had to wash my clothes in the sink and sleep in the robe provided by the hotel.  I woke up this morning at about 8:00.  My clothes were still sopping wet so I had to sit with a blow dryer for nearly 45 minutes to get them damp.  I headed out after getting ready to check in at St. Mary's.  It took me a little bit to figure out the subway.  From the moment I woke up in my bed in Oklahoma to sitting on my bed at the residence in NYC took me 32 hours!  It was a very exhausting day for me and it was hard to stay positive but God shared something with me earlier that morning from the devotional "Jesus Calling."


"I have prepared this day for you with the most tender concern and attention to detail.  Instead of approaching the day as a blank page that you need to fill up, try living it in a responsive mode: being on the lookout for all that I am doing.  This sounds easy, but it requires a deep level of trust, based on the knowledge that MY way is perfect."  


I know that I can get so frustrated when things don't go my way according to my plan.  But even though the day seemed absolutely dreadful to me, I have to trust God that He was paying extreme detail to every event that happened.  I believe that he protected me yesterday.  And all that other things that have gone wrong just may be His way to remind me that I can't control anything!  I can either fight him on that or let go.  I'm so happy I am here now and I am waiting for my friend Mariah so we can have lunch and walk the Brooklyn Bridge today!

One Week!

One week from today, I will be leaving for the Big Apple!  It's a bit surreal for me to imagine waking up in New York City each day.  There are lots of emotions running through me...excitement, stress, worry, curiosity.   I'm very thankful for this opportunity and can't wait to see what God teaches me through it!  He deserves the credit for everything that has come into place to ready me for this adventure.  I knew it would cost quite a bit to go and would require an intense amount of frugality on my part.  Saving is one thing that is a struggle for me.  I worked a lot of extra hours at Golden Corral and am teaching summer school all because He provided those jobs.  I also received a generous donation in the mail the week that I had damage to my car.  Two weeks ago was when I began to panic about where I would stay.  The residence I applied for had not contacted me with an available room and I was 18 on the list.  After hours and hours of searching for an apartment room to rent in a stranger's place, I got nowhere and had more stress.  The following Monday I called the residence to see how far up I was on the list. She told me that I was #1 on the list for a room!  Praise God! Initially, I tried to reason it in my head how I could be first. God revealed to me that he doesn't fit into this formula I try to create in my head.  He is capable of doing so much more than I give him credit for.  I am one who struggles with grace.  It is hard for me to wrap my head around this God that even when I don't deserve something, He loves me so much that he freely gives me things because he loves me.   I talked with my good friend Julie about how I didn't deserve for God to have taken care of that for me because I hadn't been a "good girl."  She was passionate about explaining that God loves me and that I need to say I'm sorry, repent and keeping moving forward. She quoted from Angela Thomas that "God is always plotting for our joy." I am fighting against the legalistic mindset that thinks I can earn God's favor and love by doing good works.  This is not truth!  

Titus 3:4-7  says

"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

This week will be a very busy week of preparation and wrapping up summer school.  I'm still figuring out a way to get my luggage to weigh no more than 50 lbs. I am not a light packer and this is for 4 weeks so I'm open to any suggestions.  I will be blogging more frequently to keep all of you following me up to date.  Thanks for those that are encouraging me and celebrating with me in this new chapter!  See you soon!

"Who Are You Not To Be?"

So, this week didn't start off so well.  On Monday morning, I managed to cause over $2500 worth of damages to my car due to some large branches laying on the highway.  Many of you know when it comes to my driving skills, I seem to find a way to hit anything inanimate in my way.  I had to pay about $1200 for damages on my car at the beginning of the year, and now getting it repaired again.  Good thing I should get it back the first of the week.  Thankfully, my trusting dad is letting me borrow his car while mine is in the shop.  It stinks that my deductible is $1000 which sets me back on the money I'm earning for NYC.  I've been working a lot of extra shifts to hopefully compensate for the difference.

New York City? Yes, I said it!  I will be going to NYC again in 1 1/2 months!  I am very excited, yet nervous!  I will be leaving June 22 and returning July 22.  I will be taking a course to get my certification to teach English abroad!  My precious friend Andrea will be flying out with me and helping me settle in for the first weekend.  After that, I'll be in the big city on my own discovering new things and most likely sipping some joe at my favorite spot like I've always imagined.  I won't be all alone, though.  My sweet friend Mariah will be there doing an internship with a church, so we have plans to do some sightseeing and hanging out on the weekends!  But I don't mind being by myself.  I have applied to stay in a women's residence.  I haven't heard back from them yet, so I'm worrying about that.  It's possible that I will find out just a couple weeks in advance.  Yikes!

God really began to speak to me about what I want to do in this chapter of my life.  I've been inside of Shawnee, OK my entire life.  I love being here, but I've seen it for 28 years.  What about the rest of the world?  While in New York City this Christmas, I was given a tiny snippet of what traveling is like and seeing new places.  I have this strong desire to see the world.  I think I've been afraid to leave my comfort zone, but what if there is something even greater God has for me, He's just waiting for me to step out.  Only God knows where He will call me, but I want to be ready and willing to go when He does.  I am so thankful that I have friends that asked, "Brittney, what is your passion?"  Friends that have already stepped out in faith to something that God is leading them to.  This really challenged me to ask God what he wanted for me and not continue to grow complacent.  I ask you the same question.  What is your passion?   Is it to minister to children or youth who are longing for someone to invest in them?  Or to sacrifice your security to travel overseas and bring Jesus to those who have never heard.  Will you become a better example for your spouse and children by allowing Jesus to show you the picture of what a Godly man or woman looks like?  Or perhaps, follow a dream that God has continued to put on your heart and you've let fear and insecurity convince you its silly and ignore it.  Whether you are here or there, single-married-divorced-widowed, he has a purpose for you!  If you don't know what it is, ask Him!  I will leave you with a poem that I have read and heard probably hundreds of times!  It's never really struck a chord in me until the last few months.  I hope you enjoy!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Marianne Williamson

I also recommend the book "Wide Awake" and podcasts by Erwin McManus.

Blessings,
B

What's In A Name?

I wanted to explain my blog title to those who may be wondering what the word Kallima means.  Several years ago, I went through a painful time in life when I lost relationships that were very significant to me.   During that time, I questioned God why I had to experience such loss.  I was determined to make sense of it all on my own and grasped on to anything that could bring me answers and relief!  I began seeing butterflies everywhere!  He sent enough for me to stop and notice.  I started thinking that this might be a sign from God that He was trying to speak to me.  I prayed one of those prayers I think most of us have said in our life....you know the one where you ask God to show you a sign?  Remember, I was desperate.  Afterwards, I continued seeing butterflies more often!  I was convinced that God was answering the plea in my prayer.  One of those occurrences was when I was browsing through the card aisle in Hallmark.  I stumbled across one with a butterfly on the front.  It read like this, "You've got to admire them-setting off on a journey of no less than a thousand miles on only a wing and a prayer.  Yet make it, they will... And so will you.
Right there is when something clicked for me.  God wasn't using the butterflies to give me hope in something I thought I wanted.  He was giving them to remind me that He could see my pain and he would give me strength to make it through.   He has stayed faithful to that promise!  The word Kallima has two meanings.  Kallima is the Greek word for beautiful and is also a type of butterfly.  When I stumbled across the word, my heart was so happy!   It all just made sense to me, then.  I think about the life cycle of a butterfly.  First, it is a caterpillar and becomes ready for a change.  It forms its chrysalis and liquifies in the beginning stages of metamorphosis.  After a time, it emerges from the chrysalis and is completely changed.    That is exactly how God works!  He sees us where we are and has a plan for us.  He has to work in our lives and create us to be who He dreamed us to be.  Every person goes through pain in life and we ask God questions, but it is through that time we are most vulnerable that He can mold us.  When we put our trust in the One True God, we come out on the other side more beautiful than before.  I still have that card and reading it today allows me to look back at that time in life and see that HE IS FAITHFUL!  My journey has only just begun!
                   

Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, 

   because the LORD has anointed me 

   to proclaim good news to the poor. 

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 

   to proclaim freedom for the captives 

   and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a] 

² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor 

   and the day of vengeance of our God, 

to comfort all who mourn, 

 ³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion— 

to bestow on them a crown of beauty 

   instead of ashes, 

the oil of joy 

   instead of mourning, 

and a garment of praise 

   instead of a spirit of despair. 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, 

   a planting of the LORD 

   for the display of his splendor.

My First Blog!

I am excited to be writing my first blog!  My hope in having this blog is that I can share my heart with all women, single and married, about the lessons that my God has taught me and continues to teach me.  You will find that I am just an average Jane and some would agree they define themselves that way, but through the loving Father, he takes things that are ordinary and makes them extraordinary!

Through the past few years, God has taken me through some very difficult times, growing times, happy times, and doubting times.  In the midst of all that, one thing I know for sure is that God loves me with an unconditional love I cannot understand and He will never walk away from me.  I hope you will be a part of this journey with me.

Blessings,
B