Philadelphia Love: Fast-paced City Life

Finally a new post! This semester has been awesome and there are only a few more weeks left. It is definitely going to be a bittersweet ending. I want my classes to end but I don't want to leave the city.

Classes:
This spring I have learned more than anyone should ever know about President JFK. Don't even get me started on where the bullets went through his head. Thank you Joan M. Also, I have found a new calling...well not really. Writing computer code for my electrical engineering course. No idea as to why it counts as an elementary education computer course. Come on Messiah!

Duckrey Elementary:
I absolutely love working with my second grade class. I love entering room 124 every week to their smiling faces. They welcome me with hugs and waves of approval. Every week the students know I am coming in. They have built friendships with me. A few weeks ago one of the girls asked me about "Miss Katie." Katie was a previous MCPC student that helped out in their classroom last fall.
Here is a little description:
The children of Room 124 were sitting on the square rug waiting for Ms. S. to start her lesson. Biana declared, “Miss Mary? Is Miss Katie your best friend?” I said, “No, Biana. However, she is a friend of mine.” Biana replied, “Do you call Miss Katie every night?” I replied, “No Biana. I can email her.” Biana and the rest of the class happily replied, “Tell her we said hello!”

These children on God make me laugh! When they start third grade, Miss Katie and Miss Mary will not be around. However, I hope the students value our time with them. I desire to have the children feel just as positive about Miss Mary next year.
Third grade is the start of PSSA testing and attending school every day becomes even more crucial. I hope memories of Miss Katie and Miss Mary will continue to inspire the students of Room 124.

City Life
I am really enjoying my time in Philadelphia. I went to the Philly Flower Show, the Museum of Art, and the Mutter Museum. My mom and sister came to visit for Easter. It was wonderful to show them my new home. We checked out Body Worlds 2 and had a personal tour inside the Kimmel Center thanks to Larry : ) I had a special dinner date with Larry at Jack's Firehouse on Fairmount. I definitely recommend checking out this 19th century firehouse restaurant. It is right across from the Eastern State Penitentiary. Speaking of food...dessert!! Naked Chocolate is awesome but one MUST stop at Capogiro's Gelato.

Running
Indoor 2010 MAC Champions. Yeah Messiah!! 4th in the 5k. I love running down Fairmount Park. It is so peaceful to get away from the craziness of the city. Feeling the breeze while running along the water reminds me of the beach! Training is getting a lot better. I am finally over my beginning of semester cold and the track is completely free of any remnants of snow. I ran a great ladder workout this Wednesday. I am happy to be healthy and enjoying running. This weekend I am home to compete in the Messiah Invite...first 10k of the season! Pumped. The Broad Street 10 Miler is coming up and Outdoor MACs is only a few weeks away!

Well that's it for the updates. Here are a few photos...