Last Day To Feel The FORCE

My heart is breaking.

Yesterday was my last day with kids, and today is my last day as a teacher. I cried multiple times yesterday, but did my best not to do it in front of my kiddos. They signed a frame for me, and I can only read their notes one at a time, or I start to lose it. Saying goodbye to the staff is even worse. I moved to Houston knowing only a handful of people. My school has become like a family to me. I don't even know how to begin to say goodbye.

I know I should finish packing up my room, and checking out. However I've got 2 hours to wait on transferring my itunes, so I figured I'd blog a bit.

This school has changed me in so many positive ways. I'm stronger, more disciplined. I also know how to have a life, and let little things go when they don't really matter. I'm more compassionate, more in tune with how to listen. I can't list all the things I've learned from all of the amazing people here. The family can never be re-created, however I sincerely hope I can find a similar feeling soon.

Yesterday, we has Iron Chef YPG. The secret ingrediant was pineapple. We had $50 and a convection oven and anything we could get from home. Team grEIGHT made:
-pineapple mango salsa
-pineapple crazy dip
- pineapple stuffed jalapeno popper wrapped in bacon ( YUM)
- pineapple teriakyi chicken skewers
- pineapple orange smoothie

With a combination of team work, culinary skill, and presentation we WON! 8,8,8, gooooooo grEIGHT!

I better get back to packing my car and saying goodbye. I don't think I'm going to make it through without some tears.

-HK

67 8th graders, 7 teachers, and 5 days

Look, I run half marathons. I do WDW in the heat of July. I eat babies for breakfast.

And let me tell you none of it prepares you for 8th grade spring trip.

Last year, Ms. Kinkade's Manatees were rock 'em sock 'em robots awesome. Straight lines, very few metro mishaps, and positive attitudes. Kinkade's Kangaroos ( tag line "let's bounce") were lovely...however the exact opposite. They got it together at the end, but not after babysitting sick ones, and preparing for awkward parent phone calls with others. We had a great time, even if I still can't wear my shoes because I'm sure that's some sort of public health hazard. We're talking 7 AM -10:30 PM walking in Houston-like heat and humidity.

All minor complaints aside, our kids were the best behaved there. The nonsense I saw from kids twice their age was just plain sad. I worry about the future of our nation sometimes, hopefully my kids will run everything.

HIGHLIGHTS!

FDR Memorial

 grEIGHT ( minus K Norv)

 Aunt Susan and Uncle Tim

 Sculpture garden

 LION CUBS A THE ZOO!!!! ( I almost switched one of my kids for a cub. No one would ever notice)

 Nationals Game with the Kangaroos

 Impending Doom

 Kangaroos at the Capitol

 Fancy Kangaroos- Let's Bounce

One week till moving day!

XOXO,
HK

What Letting Go Looks Like

I was so fortunate to be invited to one of my student's dance recitals. My parents were in town so I convinced them to come with me. After an hour of tedious ballet ( not hating on ballet, you know I love it), it was time for my student to shine. Dance jargon aside, her number was hands down the BEST. When she was on stage I saw her let go. She is such a smart, funny, quiet, reserved young woman. I rarely see her cut loose and get out of her shell. On stage, I saw her let it all out and give in. I have never been so proud. She was amazing. Through tears, I just couldn't stop thinking about how blessed I was to have this student touch my life.

I miss having that outlet in my life. The time in my week when I could just let go and be part of the music. Running is a good substitute. It is quiet, and intense, and requires mental focus. I just don't feel that abandon, that joy.

My students have taught me so many lessons about life and about myself. I want to think that wonderful student for one more thing she taught me this year...sometimes you need to let go. On the verge of the move, and a new career, and a new life, I can't wait to find a new outlet where I can do that. Thanks kid.

-HK

The Next Chapter

To spare you from a lengthy blog entry about my plans for next year, I drafted a list of things that should reveal what most of you already know.

It's that time of year again, when teachers are asked; "So what's the plan for next year?"

My reply:

1.) I am joining a skeeball league under the name "Rolling Probable Cause" (don't steal it). If you're interested in joining my team, please let me know. Our shirts will be legendary.

2.) Attending my first ACL with a Sunday ticket. Which, OF COURSE, I bought just for Randy Newman, screw the rest, I love you Randy.

3.) Start wearing make-up every day and stop recycling the same 5 outfits every week because it is all I have time to clean. Seriously, if I wear the pink shirt and silver shrug on Tuesdays instead of Thursdays puts my students’ chi in a bad place.

4.) Putting claw caps on my cat that can't resist shredding my couch regardless of how many sprays I buy or scratching things I buy her. Oh, and I'm buying a new couch.

5.) Riding the MetroRail. Shelia is a gas whore.

6.) Wine video conferencing with KO while watching Greys.

7.) Pluckers Trivia. This is one of the only things you can do to profit off of years of obscure music, television, and film I was submitted to at a young age. No seriously, ask me about Zulu. I will school you.


8.) Watching the 101X Summer Cinema Series. Movie #3 is TMNT. I waited in a line around the block in 1990 to see it in theatres as a screaming 5 years old. I will camp out a spot as early as it takes to see it on the big screen again. Also, Leonardo is better than your favorite turtle. There, I said it.
If the list wasn't enough for you, I'm moving back to ATX! I'll be returning to my marketing roots at an AMAZING company. I will miss my school, my kids, and endless personal rewards that come from teaching. It wasn't an easy decision, but as June 10th gets closer, I know more and more it was the right one.

I made the bridge to TFA Alumna at the Alumni Induction last week. It was very clear, my time in the Corps is almost over, but there is a critical part I have to play in supporting the movement and education reform. I plan to do my part telling my student's stories and supporting reform with my vote. I will continue to participate however I can in supporting our students facing a world where quality education is still a privilege, when it should be a right.

XOXO,

HK

Jeans Kill Cancer

I cannot believe it! My school helped me sponsor a "Jean's Day" during cancer awareness week, Students could donate a dollar and staff could donate 5 dollars to wear jeans for a day. In one day our generous students and staff raised $464.91! I was floored by the support and I still believe how much we raised together. Huge shout out to my school directors who had the idea to involve the kids!

Also, check out my fundraising website! I have to mail in the check from the school so those donations aren't up to date.

Race training is going well too. Week 1 under my belt and it looks like a 2:30 is totally possible. I ran 30 minutes at race pace Tuesday,  a timed mile at 9:30 then 25 minutes jogging on Thursday, and a 3 mile run in under 30 minutes on Saturday.

It's nice to see things going so well!
HK

Things are just wonderful...oh and my dad is too!

I may be a bad blogger, but I am living a wonderful life. Things are going so well I can't even begin to explain. However, I WILL highlight this AMAZING Tobin James Petite Sirah I am currently enjoying. My James Gang wine club shipment came in a while ago and I am just over the moon with it. When I returned from my last trip to Paso, I couldn't help but reflect on the wonderful opportunity I have to volunteer at the winery every spring break. The people are amazing and I get to enter this wonderful world of wining and dining for two days. Look the wine is great ( scratch that: amazing), the area is the most beautiful, working the event is so much fun, but being around the people and spending time with my family is what makes it so memorable. I hope to be out there for many years to come.

In other news I decided to take the HUGE leap, and run for a foundation for my  next half marathon. I'll be running the Disneyland Half Marathon in support of the Lazarex Cancer Foundation. I'm so excited I could burst! To drive my feet ( and my fundraising) to the finish line, I wanted to pick an inspiration. And I picked...

My Dad! Not only a cancer survivor, but the reason I laced up my shoes for my first half marathon. He was the original reason I started running half marathons and the ONLY reason I finished my first one. So this time, it's all for you  Darth! Can't wait to cross the finish line in Anaheim with you!

Lots of other news to come but wine and my dad kind of go together so let's leave it with that!

XOXO,
HK

Tampa Airport has free wifi

I'm here about 2 hours early for my flight and there is free wifi + an open work station. So sportsfans exciting blogs coming up. They need pictures so I'll hold off on posting them now. They include:

- Christmas at Disney World: How to ride everything and only trample 5 kids

- Drunk on Butterbeer and Power: My illustrated guide to enjoying The Wizarding World of Harry Potter without cursing anyone.

-New Year Resolutions: I have to run how far in February?!?!?!?!

Get excited.

Spending Christmas with the Eggerts was fantastic. I come from a very small family where we don't get together very often. It is the complete opposite with the Eggert crew. Almost everyone lives in Florida and they're able to spend lots of holidays together. It was a very warm welcoming experience and I had an amazing time. I had a bit of a hard time adjusting on Christmas day. The Kinkade Christmas of spending all day in your PJs eating waffles and watching movies is very different from waking to the sounds of children diving head first in to presents before 10am and actually having to get dressed because everyone will soon be there. It was still lots of fun. The little cousins are adorable and SO BIG from the last time I saw them! It was also really nice to just spend time with Russell, Linda, Ita and Chris.

And now onward to my family Christmas/New Years. I'm looking forward to spending some time with the family and getting the warm fuzzies.