What's normal anymore?

There are many things that happen in my life here in the Philippines, and often times I forget that they aren't "normal" when compared to my life in the States.

Today in class some of my kids came up and told me that there was a gecko stuck in our classroom reading tent.  After going to investigate sure enough there was a fat little gecko hanging on the hanging sheets from our ceiling we like to call our "base camp".
I looked over to a couple of my kids and asked them, "would you please take him outside so he can be free and out of our way?"
So my student walks over with a tissue and grabs for the little gecko, and of course what happens next... his tail falls right off flailing on the floor.

So now I have one student with very scared and wiggly gecko and another with a still very much alive and literally swinging tail.  YUCK!

Both were quickly taken outside and exposed in their own ways, one in the trash and another in a corner in the hallway.

But as I was walking out of my classroom this afternoon I noticed a squished little gecko with no little tail...and now I feel a little bad for the guy.

Geckos (aka in the Phils as a Butiki) have become a part of my daily life.  They are not in anyway or form special and often times I find little gifts from them around my kitchen and in my sink.  But they keep the bugs away, and for that I am very grateful!  I would much rather have a Butiki running around my room than a big nasty June bug or moth.

a few things I miss

Living away from home I am surprised at some of the things that I have found myself missing.  These are definitely not in order, but they are a few things I was thinking about this week.

1. A Deli Bagel Sandwich...hard to find real bagels and good lunch meat here in the Phils.

2. Alderwood...I think I will always miss alderwood no matter where I end up.

3. This crazy fat cat Tooly... I miss snuggling with her on the couch.

4. These four fun people.

5. This is the view from my couch...I miss sitting here and talking with friends.

6. I'm a washingtonian for sure.... I miss moutain loop highway and picking random trails to hike.

7. No traffic

8. Being able to run to the store and finding exactly what you need...plus free parking.

Some Lovin from my Kiddos

Monday was my birthday.  Not a big one, nothing special about this one, but my fourth graders have succeeded in making me feel completely blessed.

Came into my classroom Monday morning to a desk full of gifts, candy, and home made cards.  Tots presh ;)
Then at lunch, I ran out to grab some lunch at the cafeteria and when I returned 4 of my girls had a birthday cake with little lit candles and as I walked in they began singing the beloved Happy Birthday song.  I quickly blew out the candles and told the girls they probably shouldn't have lit the candles but it was very sweet of them to think of me!

We then had a lovely lunch together where they made me feel very special and loved.

These lovely ladies made my day:)

This is what a spoiled 4th grade teacher looks like.