Just before Thanksgiving break I found out that Ami and Lori were going to be in town with their families! It was a pleasant surprise. We celebrated Thanksgiving on Friday and then spent a few more days together...We even had the opportunity to go to Chuck E. Cheese!
Friday, December 14, 2007
Girly Wine and Cheese Party
Some of my girlfriends and I decided to celebrate the feast of St. Gertrude by honoring her iwth a dinner/slumber/wine party. We began the festivities on Friday evening. The following afternoon we traveled to Weston, MO to enjoy some wine testing at a local winery. There we experienced the art of mulled wine! Here's a few pics from the weekend.....
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Morgan Rechtein
My second cousin Morgan suffered a severe football injury a few weeks back. He broke his neck, but fortunately did not sever his spinal cord. Right now he is suffering from paralysis from the legs down. I ask you to keep him and his family in your prayers.
A man of good spirit and unshakeable faith.
If you want to be inspired, please click on the link below and watch the news coverage on his case. He is a remarkable young man of God and has inspired me in more ways than he will ever know.
For more information, please visit: http://www.morganrechtien.com/
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
A Tribute to Veterans and Soldiers
Our high school honored the country's veterans today in an assembly. One of the social studies teachers made this tribute video. It is well done. Thanks to all those who have fought for our country and dreams, especially Grandpa and Andrew! God Bless the USA!
Monday, November 12, 2007
Some YouTube Classics
Here are some of my new favorites...
If someone sings to you like this....does it matter what they say?
Thanks mom!
What a life!
Here are some of my ultimate favorites....
I think this is my fav....it just brightens my day everytime!
Just some quality entertainment...
Thanks to those that have shared these with me....
If someone sings to you like this....does it matter what they say?
Thanks mom!
What a life!
Here are some of my ultimate favorites....
I think this is my fav....it just brightens my day everytime!
Just some quality entertainment...
Thanks to those that have shared these with me....
Friday, November 09, 2007
incredible...
Last Sunday I had the opportunity to go skydiving!
It was incredible and virtually unfathomable.
Some friends and I arrived at the airport around 9:30am and I did not jump until about 4:30pm. Although I had all day to watch others jump and visualize my own experience, some how, some way I was never nervous...well until the door opened!
Here's my attempt to share every moment of the adventure!
As you may guess, the reality of this adventure did not come until I was in this small plane with 4 others. It took about 15 minutes for the plane to circle the skies to reach the desired 10,000 feet. The plane ride was enjoyable but somewhat overlooked by the expectations of the actual jump. Since I was jumping near the end of the daylight, it was a bit chilly as we elevated, but I forgot how cold I was becoming as we were prepping to take the leap of faith. As we elevated, my guide continuously showed me the altitudes we were reaching and giving me instructions. Once we reached 9,000 feet, it was time to get ready. That is when the Hail Mary began, the adrenaline set in, and the exit happened before I knew it!
We all received a quick training before we jumped. I was mostly concerned with making sure that I would have my body positioned correctly as we exited the plane. Although it took some concentration, most of the work was done naturally by the force of the wind and gravity.
Once we reached the 10,000 feet, the two individual jumpers exited the plane. That was the moment of truth...seeing, hearing, and feeling the door open and watching them exit with a glimpse of the ground below and a gust of wind. Immediately after they exited, it was our time to move. I had to swing my legs around the wall of the plane (as I am attached tandem to the guide) and hang my legs outside of the plane between the door and the wing. Immediately, the guide rocked us forward (READY) then back (SET) then forward again (GO). Go this time meant rolling out of the plane. Supposedly we somersaulted 2.5 times before being parallel with the ground....and so the free fall began...but I do not recall flipping!
From here on out I have no true concept of what took place, but I will try to share what went through my mind, and what I have reflected upon since.
I believe that the free fall is supposed to last for about 30 seconds, though it felt like about 1o. I believe they said that we fell at 120 mph. All I know is that I did not feel like I was falling, but I felt the pressure of the wind, went nearly deaf due to the quick change of elevation, the sound was loud, felt the skin of my face flying backwards and shaking, much like a cartoon would express, and enjoyed every second of it. All I really remember going through my mind was that "this is incredible"!
Shortly the parachute would fly out and change the experience immediately. During the free fall my body was in a somewhat arched position with my arms out like chicken wings, my neck back, and my legs arched behind me. As soon as the parachute was released, the entire experience changed. My legs flung forward nearly hitting my face (or though it seemed), the pressure lightened, the sound shut off, and we were floating. I just remember thinking that what I had just experienced was incredible and I already could not fathom what had just happened during the free fall.
As we floated down, the guide let me help him pull some of the chords to allow us to spin 360s while descending ...that was enjoyable.
The trip down, once we had the chute felt like five minutes...I wish we could have coasted more in the air on the descent.
As we prepared for landing, I was told to pike my legs up in order to allow the guide to land us.
We were trained to land on our butts, but a few that day were able to land on their feet. I definitely came in with the butt technique!
Here I am just after landing...all I can say is that it was incredible!
I could not fathom what I had just done, and the experience was so quick that it was almost as though I never did it. But now, when I look back, more of the experience comes back to me. But as my friends and I agreed, this was a sensation that you can never fully explain or remember until you are in that same situation once again. With that said you may ask, would I do it again? Today I would say yes, however, it's not necessary.
As I said before, the day I jumped I was never really nervous...but the day I said yes to do it, I was a little nervous because only one other time in my life had I signed a contract to acknowledge that I was putting my life on the line. [Note to those who are considering jumping: just as there is danger in any extreme activity such as skydiving, there are several methods to make a parachute release, so that should never be a worry!] Anyways, if you are at all considering, I'd say go for it! You will never experience an adventure quite like skydiving. Then again, if you never go, that's okay too, because it happens so fast, you almost don't even remember it!
Just today, I was looking in the sky and saw many traces of planes. It was then that I realized that when I watched my friends jump, it was not until the small flap came out, just before the parachute that I was even able to pick them out of the sky. I just can't fathom that we were free falling so high in the sky that no one could see us! Crazy!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Say Cheese!
Well here you go, another standard school photo...sit straight, tilt your head slightly, smile and don't blink!....
also if you are interested to see the work of a PHS student here is my school website...I don't actually use it at this point and time....but it is pretty flashy!
http://phs.parkhill.k12.mo.us/personnel/teachers/dirnberger_lauren/Thursday, November 01, 2007
Seeing the family...
I just found out today that I will get to see my nieces and nephew and of course sisters and brothers Thanksgiving weekend! I am excited to see them all that I had to share a few of the recent pics they sent. As you can guess, I am a proud aunt!
Here's the Bryant Family: Ami, Scott, Ashley, and Nathan
The Jone's Family: Lori, Mike, and Rylie
See yall soon!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Thanksgiving!
Miss D, You Trippin'
I haven't given a school update in awhile...Things are going relatively well. I am not sure why but this past week I felt a bit overwhelmed I think just due to being tired and maybe doing too much during the week. I overslept two days in a row. I woke up at the time I was supposed to be at school. I guess at least I had the grace to make it there before the first bell rang! Anyways, though busy, no complaints.
My students are great, with the exception of talking too much and being apathetic at times. I am really enjoying getting to know my students and their personalities better. But this is also a challenge. I feel horrible for my students who are always doing the right thing, always respectful, and quiet because they do not receive any of my attention. My attention goes to the outspoken ones, who are usually off task! I have to admit though that I am going to be sad to lose this bunch of students at the semester. I will have a new crew after Christmas. It is strange to think that my first class of students will already be out of my care by December.
There is not a lot to report here, but I thought I would leave you with some one-liners from my students:
After assigning a tedious homework assignment, one student responds:
Miss D, you must be trippin'
After confiscating a hair straightener from one of my students, she asked:
Miss D we gotta get you a new do, can we straighten your hair? This is now a recurring question...daily....
One time I was helping a student at their desk, so I was half bent over helping her, placing my buttocks in the proximity of another girl. She said, Miss D get your butt out of my face (jokingly of course) and so I responded by shaking my butt at her....She then goes, No you didn't...I then proceeded to do it again and said, Oh yes I did! Now I may have crossed the line here...but that's what took place!
I have had several students who have asked me if I was married, dating someone, or had children...when the answer is no, I have had several 15 year old girls offer to set me up with their Chicano or African American friends or even to set me up on e-harmony. It's quite humorous, but it also gives me a great opportunity to teach them some valuable life lessons such as patience and virtue. One girl was convinced that I had a child at the local childcare because the little three year old had blue eyes, brown hair, and my last name!
I am sure there are several more but I will leave you with two of the funniest...
I have one little freshman boy who I think just likes to get a reaction out of me. I have him during the class period where lunch is in the middle. So upon his return one day, I was trying to usher the kids back into the classroom to get started. I told him he needed to step into the room. He responded that he could not. I said you must. He said, Miss D, I gotta let one. I replied, What? He again said, I gotta let one. You don't want me in there. I responded, hurry up and get back in! (I am laughing as I write this down). Then about a day or two later, he comes up to me in front of the class and whispers, ah Miss D...I gotta let one. All that crossed my mind was that he did not just come up to me to tell me this. I lost it, I started laughing. The class then wanted to know what he said. I told them not to worry about it...Then to top it all off, about a week later, I was helping another student near this boy. He says out of the blue, I am sorry for what I am about to do. I then said, Then don't do it. He responded, but I have to. I then said, What are you going to do? He said, I am going to stink up the room.
The final one...One of my students had this putty that makes farting noises as you push it back into the container. After several episodes of him "farting" I confiscated the putty. He then said to me, charming as he tries to be, Okay Miss D, I'll let you have this, but promise me this. You will give this to someone you love, and whenever you see it, you'll think of me!
As my favorite show was once titled, Kids Say the darnedest things!
My students are great, with the exception of talking too much and being apathetic at times. I am really enjoying getting to know my students and their personalities better. But this is also a challenge. I feel horrible for my students who are always doing the right thing, always respectful, and quiet because they do not receive any of my attention. My attention goes to the outspoken ones, who are usually off task! I have to admit though that I am going to be sad to lose this bunch of students at the semester. I will have a new crew after Christmas. It is strange to think that my first class of students will already be out of my care by December.
There is not a lot to report here, but I thought I would leave you with some one-liners from my students:
After assigning a tedious homework assignment, one student responds:
Miss D, you must be trippin'
After confiscating a hair straightener from one of my students, she asked:
Miss D we gotta get you a new do, can we straighten your hair? This is now a recurring question...daily....
One time I was helping a student at their desk, so I was half bent over helping her, placing my buttocks in the proximity of another girl. She said, Miss D get your butt out of my face (jokingly of course) and so I responded by shaking my butt at her....She then goes, No you didn't...I then proceeded to do it again and said, Oh yes I did! Now I may have crossed the line here...but that's what took place!
I have had several students who have asked me if I was married, dating someone, or had children...when the answer is no, I have had several 15 year old girls offer to set me up with their Chicano or African American friends or even to set me up on e-harmony. It's quite humorous, but it also gives me a great opportunity to teach them some valuable life lessons such as patience and virtue. One girl was convinced that I had a child at the local childcare because the little three year old had blue eyes, brown hair, and my last name!
I am sure there are several more but I will leave you with two of the funniest...
I have one little freshman boy who I think just likes to get a reaction out of me. I have him during the class period where lunch is in the middle. So upon his return one day, I was trying to usher the kids back into the classroom to get started. I told him he needed to step into the room. He responded that he could not. I said you must. He said, Miss D, I gotta let one. I replied, What? He again said, I gotta let one. You don't want me in there. I responded, hurry up and get back in! (I am laughing as I write this down). Then about a day or two later, he comes up to me in front of the class and whispers, ah Miss D...I gotta let one. All that crossed my mind was that he did not just come up to me to tell me this. I lost it, I started laughing. The class then wanted to know what he said. I told them not to worry about it...Then to top it all off, about a week later, I was helping another student near this boy. He says out of the blue, I am sorry for what I am about to do. I then said, Then don't do it. He responded, but I have to. I then said, What are you going to do? He said, I am going to stink up the room.
The final one...One of my students had this putty that makes farting noises as you push it back into the container. After several episodes of him "farting" I confiscated the putty. He then said to me, charming as he tries to be, Okay Miss D, I'll let you have this, but promise me this. You will give this to someone you love, and whenever you see it, you'll think of me!
As my favorite show was once titled, Kids Say the darnedest things!
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