This past week was Homecoming Week at my high school. As someone who was intentionally removed from the events that make up high school memories, this week is entertaining for me. It is a week long competition between the different classes, and the students and teachers easily get involved in the festivities. As a class sponsor, I am in the thick of things. All week, my students commented on my visible lack of sleep. We all worked very long hours preparing display boards and skits and participating in physical competitions. Despite the fact that it completely takes over my life...and I work 14 hour days...and my dishes don't get washed...and I cannot even return text messages in a timely manner...I enjoy the process of getting to know my students and watching them work. My students this year did a fantastic job. They won the board competition, came in second in the skit, and tied (although we're contesting this) for first place in the physical competition. I'm so proud of t

"You were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all." I'm sure I've used this line before. It's one that just sticks in my head on a regular basis, and it is especially poignant for me tonight. But I think this line applies more to myself than anyone else I've ever met. I called some old, dear friends tonight after hearing about an important announcement in their lives. We chatted for about twenty minutes, catching up on the more pressing changes since I last saw them five years ago. We ended the call with "much love" and a promise from me to visit the next time I am in town so we can do a proper update. Part of our discussion was my divorce two years ago and my subsequent traveling and language acquisition. She remarked that I have always loved people and their stories and my complete fascination with other cultures. (Was it always that obvious?) A little while later, I was talking with another friend who laughed at one of my