VT tragedy, new students, tennis champions!!

A week ago today there was complete mayhem at Va Tech. A crazy student killed 32 people and himself. It still seems unreal. The Hokie community pulled together, as would be expected, and the rest of the world followed suit. Even Ellen Degeneres wore orange and maroon on her show on last Friday, the day that was dedicated "Orange and Maroon Effect Day" to honor those who lost their lives in this tragedy. Some of the students and staff at my school followed my suggestion that we participate by wearing Hokie colors. I took some pics, but as usual haven't downloaded them yet. Will post them later!

I have had two new students start in my class in the past week and needless to say.. our classroom dynamics have changed! Today a little girl with Down Syndrome, Mary, celebrated her 3rd bday and her first day of school. Sweet little girl, involved parents, just really young developmentally. It's like having a new baby in the house. EVERYTHING has to be baby proofed all over the room. I have the greatest E.A. (ed. asst.) who always makes my job so much easier, but we were feelin' the stress today! And, on top of it all, we had a "lockdown" drill today. Do you know how hard it is to keep preschool students with disabilities quiet, in one space, and explain it all to them? All things considered, it went well.

This weekend, my tennis friend Julie and I won the 3.0 Doubles Division of a tennis tournament in Lahiana! I have never won any tennis tourney!! We were in the paper Saturday .. a picture!! Anyway, we played two matches yesterday (with a 30 min. break in between) in the scorching heat and pulled it off! We are sooo thrilled!! :) Pics to be added soon...

Be in touch! :) Suz

Back in Kihei

Things have returned to normal now that I'm back from Australia and my company has gone. These pics were taken while Maggie and Linda were here... I think they enjoyed their stay. I enjoyed having them! Jack was also glad for the extra attention.. thanks again to Linda for all of her morning walks with him. It made it so nice.. especially on school days! I have filed my taxes on time (a feat for anyone who knows my financial style) and I'm trying to be better with my spending. Have been getting a little carried away lately!! I was supposed to go to Oahu next weekend for the Kokua Fest (jack johnson), but I told my friends that I wasn't able to go. I've seen him a ton of times and it would have involved buying ANOTHER plane ticket, getting a walker for Jack, and spending money that I don't need to spend. Now I'm playing in a doubles tourney in Lahaina instead and my friend Jason is coming to visit me from Oahu next weekend. Good times!

My mom has decided to bring her mom to VA to stay with her for a few months. Kudos to mom! It must be difficult for Gramma not being able to be in her own space without someone watching over her. She is lucky to have such great children to help take care of her!

I go to see Gavin and Katie on the webcam last week for the first time in a long time. Katie is soo big! They both have grown. I miss them!! I hear Cindy has her webcam up (it's about time!) so I hope to see that gang soon. Welcome to the new millenium guys!!

Quiet weekend here.. going into "town" in a bit to pick up some things. I enlarged a few photos from my trip to Australia and need to pick them up at Costco. One of them is for my landlords for being so good to me. I hope they turn out nicely. Well, I better get going. Stay in touch!

Cheers,

Susie