I'm a "crazy"

It's official. Find that straight jacket. Throw me in a padded room. I've lost it. I'm done.

I wake up with a start! Look at the clock; it's 6:19. Oh my gosh, I can't believe I've overslept Whiz Kids! I'm supposed to pick up Nora and meet her for the first time. Apparently she cried because she thought it started last week, and I didn't pick her up. I'm the worst tutor EVER! "Whiz Kids lasts until 7:30," I tell myself, "I'll just call her, apologize, and pick her up for the last part. It'll be okay."

See, I'm a night-shifter. I work at night. And I sleep during the day. But I don't remember Tuesday day. I had plans to hang out with my cousin Ashley and her two boys all day today. I think that's an awefully long time to sleep. Surely Ashley would have called me and called me, saying "Where are you? I thought we had plans!" Surely, I didn't sleep through the whole day! Yah, I went to bed at 2 in the morning, but I wouldn't think I would have slept through the whole day!

I jump out of bed with my phone, turn on the light, look at my crazy hair in the mirror and think, "Okay, I'll just wash my face real fast, throw some clothes on, and I'll be out the door..... I'm the worst tutor ever!"

Walk to the kitchen and notice that it's pretty dark outside. Okay, I didn't think it was daylight savings time yet. It wasn't supposed to get dark this early in the evening already. That's weird. Dialing Nora on the phone. Pretty sure it's Nora's Spanish-speaking mother on the phone. I say, "NORA!" like she's hard of hearing or something. Nora's brother gets on the phone, and I explain my case. "I'm Kaylyn, Nora's new Whiz Kids tutor. I'm so sorry I'm late. I told her yesterday that I would pick her up at 5:30 for Whiz Kids and I'm just a little late. But I can head over there now. Is Nora there?"

I hear some Spanish translation of my message to Nora's mom in the background. Brother gets back on the phone in a super sweet voice. "Well she goes to school at 7 and comes back at 3." I'm thinking, Who goes to school at 7 in the evening? "No, I know she gets home from school around 3, but I told her that I would pick her up at 5:30, and I know I'm a little late, but I can still come pick her up if she's there."

More Spanish translation in the background. "Well... I guess my mom says you can come pick her up, but...."

And then it dawns on me.

I've just called Nora, my precious little Whiz Kid, whom I haven't even officially met yet, at 6:19 IN THE MORNING. OH MY GOSH.
I'VE JUST MADE A COMPLETE FOOL OF MYSELF.

"You know what," I try to cover myself, acting all cool and sly. "You're right. I'll just come pick her up this afternoon, okay? I'm sorry." click.

OH MY GOSH. I just called Nora's phone at 6:19 AM and tried to convince her lovely Spanish-speaking mother to let me come pick up her child RIGHT NOW. Before school. AT 6:19 IN THE MORNING.

Oh, I've done lost it. I've lost my marbles. So many clues I just passed over.
1. It was dark outside.
2. I didn't hang out with Ashley today, like planned.
3. That's an awefully long time to sleep for me.
4. I didn't work last night anyways.

So go ahead and lock me up. I'm a certified "crazy." Let's see if she still wants to go to Whiz Kids in about 12 hours, cause I don't know if I would if I were her.

***I'm posting this now, because if I don't, when I wake up for real, I'll think it was all a bad dream... and it was NOT A DREAM!

whizzzz kids

Meet Desteny. I first met Desteny when she looked like this picture I'm holding up next to her current self. She was a shy quiet 3rd grader. Her English was minimal, her smile hesitant, and her concentration was lacking.

4th grade began a beautiful friendship. I encouraged her with cards each week reminding her of who she is in Christ. A beautiful daughter of the Lord. She laughed alot more. Little changed with her concentration but her smile came easier.

5th grade emerged a girl with a flair for life. I couldn't get her to stop talking long enough to read a sentence in a book. Her reading comprehension level was still slow and choppy. She invited me to her sister's 3rd birthday party (which apparently is a BIG deal), and I started to see her love for her sister outgrow the annoying sister tag-a-long. She invited me to her 5th grade graduation where she wore a beautiful yellow dress. Her parents let me take her out for ice cream.

6th grade popped out a woman! Desteny shared with me her dreams of college, job, owning a house, supporting her sister. Her passion for life astounded me! Who is this young woman? Where did the shy little chica go? Desteny's concentration could still bounce faster than Federer's serve, but she excelled in math and science at her charter school. She called me friend. I actually teared up one time looking at her, thinking of how she's changed over the years. She said, "What's wrong with you? Why are you crying, weirdo?"

This is 7th grade. She said no to Whiz Kids this year, but asked me to tutor her mini-me, Alondra when she's old enough. She's a strong woman with an exciting future and I'm proud to call her friend. I love you Desteny!



Turning a new leaf.... I'm starting back at 2nd grade with a new Whiz Kid next week. Haven't met her yet. Drove past her house and prayed for her, but I haven't met Nora yet. I'm excited and nervous to begin this journey again. Now I know why people do this. I've gained a friend for life, and I'm ready to make some more...

working out

does anybody get bored with working out?
anybody have any fun ideas to spice up your routine?
i used to work out with a guy named roderick and he always had me do something new and different. it was never the same from day to day.
i loved it!
i'm bored with working out.
i wanna get fit but i don't like running on a treadmill.
i don't like "typical gym activities."
throw some ideas my way, or call me up and let's adventure together!

bring back the penguins!

wow, so it's been awhile since i've posted. my mom reminded me today that i have a blog. wow.
so 2 years ago at the oklahoma state fair, there was a penguin show. nothing has ever compared to this show at the fair, and i doubt anything ever will....
cayce can attest to that.... so let's beg the oklahoma state fair...

BRING BACK THE PENGUINS!

watch this video!





sorry it's sideways... if you have a laptop, turn it sideways, it's worth it!!!!!

i need a reminder sometimes...

why is it so easy to forget to pray?

on tuesday at whiz kids, i lost my car keys. i don't know why, but it upset me a little. i don't usually get frantic and emotional about little trivial things, but for some reason, i momentarily freaked out. i asked desteny, "didn't you grab my keys when we were in the gym?" "no, i don't have them, i promise!" so we start retracing our steps. the gym is locked. the library is locked. downstairs, telling my tale, carol suggests, "let's pray about it. Lord, help us find kaylyn's keys."

now, seriously, why is it so hard for me to think to shoot up a prayer to the God who cares about each and every detail of our lives. a simple request in faith. a prayer heard by the LORD God.

"kaylyn, i found your keys inside the game box we played."

thank you, Jesus. may i be quicker to bring my needs to you next time. thanks for the reminder.

25

okay so i'm a quarter...
is this where i thought i'd be at 25?
i don't think we should determine our lives layout by the way others have done it. people progress in so many different ways. i have so much to be thankful for, that it would be an insult to God if i wish my life any other way. i know God's got it under control. i have a great and steady job (which is more than a lot of people can say these days), i have a fun house filled with great girl roommates and friends, i have a fun circle of friends (i have many circles, in fact), and i have great health. i've gotten to see much of this world that God has created. i've been challenged to expand my view of the world and see it the way the LORD does by reading his word and understanding his love for all the nations and all the different cultures of people around the world. i am blessed. I AM BLESSED at 25.

chiiiiicago

so the sis and i did a little vaca in chicago! we had many laughs, many funny circumhappenings and lots of sightseeing! we were blessed with great chicago weather! we did the navy pier, john hancock view of chicago, deep dish chicago pizza, blue man group, shopping on the magnificent mile, dominated the CTA buses and the L routes (or got dominated), shedd aquarium, mary poppins, millenium park with the infamous "bean," and alot more! it was a super duper fun trip! not to mention the looong drive there and back! here's to sister trips!