Screamed the good news to Cec (who walked in the door as I was on the phone with the principal), called Dad, called Granny, called Aunty Nina, Kai at my Dad's office.... then ran out of numbers that I knew (broken cell phone) ...
...and realized who I really wanted to call was Mom and couldn't stop the tears cause I didn't have her to rejoice with me...funny how those moments really hit when you least expect them to, and how hard and strong the ache is suddenly there... but i know she'd be happy... ;) and proud...about today and the past weekend too. ;) i have a job!!
Monday, June 30, 2008
WOOO HOOOOO!!!!!
I GOT A JOB!!!!!!
You are now reading the blog of the current School Counselor for Lanakila Elementary School. ;)
YIPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
You are now reading the blog of the current School Counselor for Lanakila Elementary School. ;)
YIPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Goal Surpassed - Garage Sale SUCESS!
Tired, sore, sunburnt, and sitting on the floor typing this to you...(desk sold)...but ROUSING success. We surpassed our $200 goal by SIX times that amount!!! :)
LOTS of work, yes. But considering that we had to get EVERYTHING out of this house, I'd say we did a pretty smashing job. Mom would have been SO impressed. Not just with the amount, but Cec, Rye and I kept being awed by the amount of people that just kept streaming in. The multiple craigslists ads drew them in crowds and Cecily's signs were fabulous!! :) People were also saying that this was the 'best garage sale they'd been to', 'what great clothes we had', or 'how organized we were'. :D YAY YAY YAY US!!!!
hee hee...course we had to bring everything in, only to take it out tomorrow. (my goal will be about $50 for the day) but Cec wants to persevere, and she is right that we have to get rid of all this stuff anyway so we might as well make $$! ;) (plus she went home to see if there was anything else she could sell)
Rye has the pictures posted on our family website: www.yangfamily.livejournal.com don't laugh at all my clothes (sniff-sniff) it was sad to see them go, but actually quite rewarding as well since people were so happy about them. hee hee...samething for my bags. ;)
LOTS of work, yes. But considering that we had to get EVERYTHING out of this house, I'd say we did a pretty smashing job. Mom would have been SO impressed. Not just with the amount, but Cec, Rye and I kept being awed by the amount of people that just kept streaming in. The multiple craigslists ads drew them in crowds and Cecily's signs were fabulous!! :) People were also saying that this was the 'best garage sale they'd been to', 'what great clothes we had', or 'how organized we were'. :D YAY YAY YAY US!!!!
hee hee...course we had to bring everything in, only to take it out tomorrow. (my goal will be about $50 for the day) but Cec wants to persevere, and she is right that we have to get rid of all this stuff anyway so we might as well make $$! ;) (plus she went home to see if there was anything else she could sell)
Rye has the pictures posted on our family website: www.yangfamily.livejournal.com don't laugh at all my clothes (sniff-sniff) it was sad to see them go, but actually quite rewarding as well since people were so happy about them. hee hee...samething for my bags. ;)
Friday, June 27, 2008
ice-cream
tinkle tinkle ding ding chime ding chime...
hmm...don't know how else to describe the loud, reverberating, tinkering sound of an ice-cream truck...but boy there's not a whole lot of other sounds that when you hear immediately make you realize it's a warm summer day.
hawaii needs to get some of those. and how in the world can they get their odd music to carry for blocks and blocks and blocks...
seeing all the kids waiting and running for the truck was really quite endearing... ;) i think Cec and i were the biggest kids in line. Yummy Oreo Ice-Cream stick was worth the overpriced $2.50!! :D
hmm...don't know how else to describe the loud, reverberating, tinkering sound of an ice-cream truck...but boy there's not a whole lot of other sounds that when you hear immediately make you realize it's a warm summer day.
hawaii needs to get some of those. and how in the world can they get their odd music to carry for blocks and blocks and blocks...
seeing all the kids waiting and running for the truck was really quite endearing... ;) i think Cec and i were the biggest kids in line. Yummy Oreo Ice-Cream stick was worth the overpriced $2.50!! :D
luck
wish us luck...
after countless hours, hundreds, possibly thousands of items...we'll be waking at the crack of dawn tomorrow (which might not be early for a lot of you folk, but seeing as how the sun rises here around 5:30 and sets around 9, it's VERY early for us) to get the 150lb dog in the car, to get to our house, to get out every little nick nack, book, article of clothing, shelf, piece of dust that anyone is willing to buy. ;)
my goal is $200 gross for two days...pretty lofty goal though...i told Cec, realistically we should expect $100. (sigh)
after countless hours, hundreds, possibly thousands of items...we'll be waking at the crack of dawn tomorrow (which might not be early for a lot of you folk, but seeing as how the sun rises here around 5:30 and sets around 9, it's VERY early for us) to get the 150lb dog in the car, to get to our house, to get out every little nick nack, book, article of clothing, shelf, piece of dust that anyone is willing to buy. ;)
my goal is $200 gross for two days...pretty lofty goal though...i told Cec, realistically we should expect $100. (sigh)
Friday, June 20, 2008
kid talk
in cleaning off my desk today i found a sheet where i've scribbled some of my favorite kid quotes for this year...thought i'd share them:
- I didn't do ANYTHING?! I just stayed out of my seat!!
- I had some really bad gas and accidentally farted. And they BARELY couldn't TAKE IT!!!! But I was fine. I just held my nose.
- My dad puts his foot hard on the gas. That's why we haven't been late this year.
- All I said was HUM. She seriously needs to lighten up.
hee hee...and again, my favorite, to correct the earlier entry now that i have it written verbatim, not from memory:
- What? You're a DAUGHTER?! You're an adult AND a daughter?! You have a DAD?!!
god, kids are funny.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
affected
it often happens that you don't realize how appreciated you are until you leave. and i don't mean in a bad way. i've never felt unappreciated here. ever. i just mean you don't realize the impact you have on people or how much you mean to people....i think it's kind of like mom leaving us. we knew we loved her, we knew how much we loved our family, how strong our family was, how she felt like the center of the Sugiharas, how we appreciated her style, her humor and our daily talks, everything...and how when it's gone you appreciate it and miss it so much more.
well, i just got back from a dinner with my principal...and before we left each other she started to tear up and said she had to tell me something because her husband would ask her if she had told me yet. what she said was yesterday after the end of the year party she went home and started to cry, and when her husband asked her why she said it's because she suddenly realized just how much she was going to miss me. and what she continued to say is that she was from a military family and that she's left relationships and friends, and they've left her...and over the recent years she's had people move away, friendships end...but never before has someone had such an impact, on our school, on her...and never before has she realized how much she would really miss someone and been so affected by it...
and although my eyes are puffy now from crying with her...i'm not even sure i can quite put into words how it feels to have someone tell you this. i'm not sure if it's self centered or egotistical to write it down...only i so wish i could tell my mom this...because as she was saying this, what i was thinking was that this was my mom. this is how people felt about my mom...and how i really do think that right now mom would be really happy and proud. and as big headed as it sounds for me to say, i can't help but be a little proud of me as well...because i truely had no idea that i meant this much to one person (outside of my family and ryan) let alone this school...and it's a good feeling...a really good feeling...because regardless of what happens here on out or at any other school, what i know is that here i made a difference...and i think mom would be proud.
well, i just got back from a dinner with my principal...and before we left each other she started to tear up and said she had to tell me something because her husband would ask her if she had told me yet. what she said was yesterday after the end of the year party she went home and started to cry, and when her husband asked her why she said it's because she suddenly realized just how much she was going to miss me. and what she continued to say is that she was from a military family and that she's left relationships and friends, and they've left her...and over the recent years she's had people move away, friendships end...but never before has someone had such an impact, on our school, on her...and never before has she realized how much she would really miss someone and been so affected by it...
and although my eyes are puffy now from crying with her...i'm not even sure i can quite put into words how it feels to have someone tell you this. i'm not sure if it's self centered or egotistical to write it down...only i so wish i could tell my mom this...because as she was saying this, what i was thinking was that this was my mom. this is how people felt about my mom...and how i really do think that right now mom would be really happy and proud. and as big headed as it sounds for me to say, i can't help but be a little proud of me as well...because i truely had no idea that i meant this much to one person (outside of my family and ryan) let alone this school...and it's a good feeling...a really good feeling...because regardless of what happens here on out or at any other school, what i know is that here i made a difference...and i think mom would be proud.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
and so it ends
with tears, flowers, hugs, long good-byes and promises that i'll visit, 7 years with my kids at John Muir have now come to a close. it wasn't easy, but it's right that it wasn't...and as a kid said, "I'm not upset, I'm just so sad."...and selfishly, it feels good to know that i'll be missed and good to know that i've touched this school.
i can't say that i've loved every moment, like the time i thought a parent was going to punch me, or when i have to make calls to Child Protective Services or to parents about their masterbaiting child. ;) but i can sincerely say that i absolutely love my job, the people i work with and the children that i've been so fortunate to know and watch grow. it's been an incredible 7 years.
i can't say that i've loved every moment, like the time i thought a parent was going to punch me, or when i have to make calls to Child Protective Services or to parents about their masterbaiting child. ;) but i can sincerely say that i absolutely love my job, the people i work with and the children that i've been so fortunate to know and watch grow. it's been an incredible 7 years.
and it continues
not only did i cry on stage as the school erupted in applause and cheers for me at our awards cermony, but then i cried in the hall walking out as all these kids crowded around to give me hugs...and then just now a teacher let me know that one of her students was in the corner crying after the assembly and when she asked him what was wrong he sniffed, "I'm just gonna miss Mrs. Miya." And it's not even a kid that usually cries!! Oh god, we're not even half way through the day and my head is pounding from crying and trying to contain it without overwhelming the kids.
water works
9:15 and I already hugged and cried with 4 sets of parents who came in to say goodbye. keeping kleenex in my pocket today. (sigh) here we go! ...
Monday, June 16, 2008
good-bye old friends (aka Stacy's trash is Cecily's treasure)
good-bye old friends... but no this did not bring a tear
(although it did bring several sighs and whining)...
here is what will be left in my closet after we move:
did you get that? ALL this will not be coming home with me?!! (sniff sniff)
Friday, June 13, 2008
lingering good-byes
Summer vacation. Who doesn't look forward to summer vacation?! For the first time that I can ever remember in my whole student and educator life...me. Because it means my time at John Muir Elementary is over.
And with heartwarming and aching surprise without even saying so to my kids it turns out they feel the same. Because so many times this week when I ask the standard, "So, are happy it's almost summer vacation?" Instead of the, "Yes! No more school!" or "Yes! No more homework!" They look at me sadly and say, "No. Because it means we don't get to see you again." and every day this week I'm surrounded my kids running up to hug me, sometimes long lingering hugs where they don't let go and they ask, "Why are you leaving?" or "Why do you have to go?" or "Can't you just move your family up here?"
It's sad...and it's sweet...and so many times this week I've had to brush the tears away, or stop myself from crying, because kids are able to switch gears so suddenly and in the middle of being sad and getting me choked up with their arms still around me they'll switch immediately from, "Are you really not gonna be here next year?" to "Look, my tooth is loose!" or "Hey! I'm having a slumber party tonight"
and of course there are the funny ones too -
Kindergarten Boy: why won't you be here next year?
Stacy: i'm moving to hawaii.
K boy: howcome?
S: because I'm moving to be closer with my family.
K: family?
S: yes, my dad, my grandparents, my...
K: what?! you're a DAUGHTER?!
S: yes (laughing outloud)
K: WHAT?!! you have a DAD?!
hee hee hee... lingering goodbyes are hard, but boy can they also be amusing. ;)
And with heartwarming and aching surprise without even saying so to my kids it turns out they feel the same. Because so many times this week when I ask the standard, "So, are happy it's almost summer vacation?" Instead of the, "Yes! No more school!" or "Yes! No more homework!" They look at me sadly and say, "No. Because it means we don't get to see you again." and every day this week I'm surrounded my kids running up to hug me, sometimes long lingering hugs where they don't let go and they ask, "Why are you leaving?" or "Why do you have to go?" or "Can't you just move your family up here?"
It's sad...and it's sweet...and so many times this week I've had to brush the tears away, or stop myself from crying, because kids are able to switch gears so suddenly and in the middle of being sad and getting me choked up with their arms still around me they'll switch immediately from, "Are you really not gonna be here next year?" to "Look, my tooth is loose!" or "Hey! I'm having a slumber party tonight"
and of course there are the funny ones too -
Kindergarten Boy: why won't you be here next year?
Stacy: i'm moving to hawaii.
K boy: howcome?
S: because I'm moving to be closer with my family.
K: family?
S: yes, my dad, my grandparents, my...
K: what?! you're a DAUGHTER?!
S: yes (laughing outloud)
K: WHAT?!! you have a DAD?!
hee hee hee... lingering goodbyes are hard, but boy can they also be amusing. ;)
Monday, June 2, 2008
one year
In half an hour it's June 3rd. Which means exactly one year ago today we were at the hospital with my mom...surrounded by family and friends, and unconditional love and support....and we were holding her hand for the very last time.
I can't decide whether the past 12 months feels like a lifetime ago...or if they feel like yesterday. I know I still have good days and bad. I know my bad days have become fewer...and I know life has continued...inexplicably...but somehow it has, without mom.
I know I miss her like we lost her yesterday. I know that there's not a day that goes by that the ache in my heart doesn't hurt. But I know that I can go days without crying now, and I know that I'm laughing again, real laughter...and smiling again, real smiles...and though there are times, like now when it feels so wrong to be living life without her...I know it's what she would want...and I know, that I have to believe that she's smiling down on us, and that she's proud.
And there's just no way to put into words how grateful I am to have had her, how blessed I feel to have had every day with her...which is why we miss her so.
We love you so much Mom and can't describe how much we miss you.
I can't decide whether the past 12 months feels like a lifetime ago...or if they feel like yesterday. I know I still have good days and bad. I know my bad days have become fewer...and I know life has continued...inexplicably...but somehow it has, without mom.
I know I miss her like we lost her yesterday. I know that there's not a day that goes by that the ache in my heart doesn't hurt. But I know that I can go days without crying now, and I know that I'm laughing again, real laughter...and smiling again, real smiles...and though there are times, like now when it feels so wrong to be living life without her...I know it's what she would want...and I know, that I have to believe that she's smiling down on us, and that she's proud.
And there's just no way to put into words how grateful I am to have had her, how blessed I feel to have had every day with her...which is why we miss her so.
We love you so much Mom and can't describe how much we miss you.
