Becoming

ReDiscovery

2010-04-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

Is that a word? I'm not sure, but that's what I did tonight with this blog. My sister read a section of it at my bridal luncheon seven months ago - my first thought was, I need to get that back up and running. I always have random thoughts to share. But then life takes over and you forget. I reread the 4 posts or so I have made since the beginning and realized how much life has changed since then. No longer a 1 bedroom dwelling single lady - no a new home married woman with a dog and thinking about starting a family in the next year. Wow! How things change so fast. This can't be long, since Elphie, our new pug, is laying next to me with the look of "Let's go to bed Mom!" on her smashed in face. But I'm hopeful that I can maintain this more than I have - an perhaps actually get some followers before too long. Goodnight from us!

Summer Plans

2009-05-26T15:28:00.000-07:00

Mmm...maybe this summer I will actually keep up with this.

My summer plans...
1. Read a book that's fun. There are at least six on my list that have been there for over a year and I still haven't finished them.
2. Walk, walk, walk
3. Learn. I have 3 classes I am taking. It will probably be quite a shock since I haven't taken a summer class yet in my career. I always missed the opportunity or didn't seek them out. I'm signed up for Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI), Math for 2nd grade, and an ELL conference in Storm Lake. My thought was that the 2nd grade math class would be simple, but since it was announced that we have new math curriculum next year I'm sure it's a whole different ball game.
4. Not spend so much time on the computer - I really get tired of staring at that screen.
5. Sleep in past 6. I'm not one to stay in bed until noon - I consider 7AM a treat.
6. Wedding, Wedding, Wedding.
I think that's enough - I need to find some time to relax as well.

A Million Questions

2008-09-20T05:12:00.001-07:00

> 1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:40 - my body is used to it
> 2. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Dark Knight
Ø
Ø 4.What is your favourite TV show? Mmm...I love Project Runway, Top Chef, Amazing Race, American Idol, ER, Two and a Half Men, the evening news, and many more, but rarely make time to watch them

5.What do you usually have for breakfast? Nothing, cereal, or whatever my co-worker Becky brings me
> 6. What is your middle name? Anne
> 7 What food do you dislike? eggs, many kinds of meat and protein, brussel sprouts
> 8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Fleetwood Mac - The Dance - yes, it's old, but it's timeless - plus I got the recommendation from my Dad

> 9 What kind of car do you drive? A 2004 Ford Focus

> 10. Favorite sandwich? Many, but the strangest is peanut butter and Miracle Whip > 11. What characteristic do you despise? Arrogence, rudness, cockiness
> 12. Favourite item of clothing? jeans
> 13. If you could go anywhere in the world on holiday,where would you go? Exploring the Ring of Kerry in Ireland in a rental car

> 14. Favourite brand of clothing? Lane Bryant> 15. Where would you retire to? If I live to retire then probably the coast of South Carolina

16. What was your most recent birthday? Last January 31st
> 17. Favourite sport to watch? Iowa Hawkeye Football!!!

> 18 Farthest place you will send this to? Maine

> 19. Person you expect to send it back first? Who knows
> 20. When is your birthday? Didn't question 16 answer this?
> > 21. Are you a morning person or a night person? I'm a night owl> > 22. What is your shoe size? 9>
> 23. Pets? Chris has two cats, Amy and Brewster and my parents have Miss Callie Sue, their brittany spaniel that I call a sausage with legs!
> 24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? My life is crazy right now, but so full and blessed. I am working full-time as a teacher, I'm volunteering as a kids choir director, I have many friends and wonderful man in my life. God's timing really is great to wait for.
> 25. What did you want to be when you were little? Doctor or rock star
> 26. How are you today? I little stressed because I have little things to get done and wonder when that will happen, but it's the weekend so I can't complain
> 27. What is your favourite candy? reeses peanut butter cups. > 28. What is your favourite flower? Lily of the Valley

> 29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? Planned: Thanksgiving. Unplanned: the day I get married (Lord willing - and no I don't know when that will be)

> 30. What is your full name? Elizabeth Anne McWilliams - I was named after my grandmother, love that I have an "e" in the Ann, and that my parents always planned on calling me Betsy - I now like it because it is so unique
> 31. What are you listening to right now? the tick of the clock and the hum of the computer - I'll turn on some Fleetwood Mac when I go take a shower

> 32. What was the last thing you ate? Coldstone Birthday Cake Remix in a waffle bowl - yes it was expensive and yes it was worth every penny because I never eat it.

> 33. Do you wish on stars? No > 34. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? green

> 35. How is the weather right now? Nice! Fall is apon us!
> 36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Too early for that yet - it will probably be Maggie
> 37 Your favorite soft drink? Cherry coke or Dr pepper
> 38. Favourite restaurant? Cafe di Scala when we can afford it - that's about once a year
> 39. Real hair colour? Redish brown - but their less and less red the older I get> 40. What was your favourite toy as a child? record player
> 41. Summer or winter? Fall or Spring
> 42. Hugs or kisses? both
> 43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate > 44. Coffee or tea? Both, but rarely> 45. Do you want your friends to email you back? Who ever wants to can. > 46. When was the last time you cried? Wednesday during our staff in-service at work - and I wasn't the only one

> 47. What is under your bed? wrapping paper> > 48. What did you do last night? had dinner with Chris from Chick-fil-a, ice cream from Cold Stone, watched 27 dresses and did a ton of school work> 49 What are you afraid off? My car breaking down or a car accident- it's happened enough
> . > 50. Salty or sweet? Both!
> 51. How many keys on your key ring? 5

..
> 52. How many years at your current job? 10 months with the Des Moines schools, 6 weeks at Hillis > 53. Favourite day of the week? Friday
> 54. How many towns have you lived in? 5 (2 had prisons - go figure)
> 55. Do you make friends easily? Not really - I'm too shy.
> > 56. How many people will you send this to? maybe 10

> 57. How many will respond? I'm not sure but I love getting the feedback!

Bye Bye Saturn

2008-08-04T18:56:00.000-07:00

So I did it. I finally have gotten tired of my white Saturn and traded it in for a Ford Focus. I still remember the day I brought it home. It was a sunny Saturday and I had been bugging my Dad for several weeks to take me car shopping. I was driving the 1995 brown Ford Taurus that Mom and Dad purchased when I was in high school and the White Wonder Chevy Celebrity had to be deeded to the hands of Maggie and I so that we could cart our buns around Mt. Vernon. I had driven the Taurus all through college (it seemed to have an el ed degree as well) and now that I was working full-time at Aquin, with an amazing salary of 22, 560 per year, I was ready to make my first adult purchase. We walked around Rick's used cars and then Dad suggested we head to Cassil Motors on the SW side of CR to see what his buddy Jay had. I remember we didn't look. Instead we went inside, told Jay what I wanted to make for a monthly payment and he picked three cars for me to look at. I test drove a Toyota and then my Saturn. It was the price I wanted and the sunroof, leather interior and CD player were great bonuses. I thought I had made. I drove with the top open back to Mt. Vernon and was so excited to go anywhere.

So why did I give it up. I was tired of the lights going off. Let's see....the service engine soon light has been on since the Aquin Christmas concert of 2006, it's needed 3 sets of tires, the cooling system needed to be fixed, it seemed to be using way more gas than I could afford, it had noises I didn't want to acknowledge. It was time for it to go into retirement...good by old friend...good riddance is more like it. I'm not sad to see it go!

Where did the time go?

2008-08-04T18:30:00.000-07:00

So summer seems to have come, gone and never really gotten started. What did I do this summer? I find myself asking that question every other day.

Let's see...I worked for West Des Moines Parks and Rec, which included rollerskating, mini-golf, a trip to the zoo, swimming, fishing, water balloon wars, too many games of lava monster, too many toads in the closet to surprise me, crafts, crafts, and more crafts and lots of KIDS!

I hosted my niece for an entire weekend while Iowa was mostly under water. We both had a blast and I now know most of the lyrics to the Strawberry Shortcake theme song.

I went to Texas with my best friend Candy to see my other best friend Danielle. We drove 1600 miles, went through 6 states, saw the Fort Worth Stockyards, the JFK sites, the ritzy Dallas mansions, danced at a honky tonk, rode a mechanical bull and had our own Brokeback Mountain experience.

I visited western Iowa to meet my boyfriends family and they are just as I suspected - crazy but fun, just like mine. It's a little strange when the second time you meet the family you are packing up his late parents house and missing and mourning them even though you have never met them.

Chris and I traveled to eastern Iowa to visit Mt. Vernon. We endured lots of stares, a run in with the law and a carnival worker (we were doing nothing wrong) and some good times with Josh and Katie.

I prayed for my nephew and his family as they have been to endless appointments to determine if Josh-Man does in fact has juvenile arthritis(at this point we don't know).

I prepared for a large surprise - I can't say more in case certain people read this entry.

I went canoeing on the Des Moines river.

I endured many sunburns and have a cool flip-flop tan on my feet.

I went to the Farmer's Market.

I worried about what my teaching assignment for the fall would be.

I bought a new car...more 'bout that later.

I saw several summer movies and SATC with Kate is still the best.

I went to Immersion, I saw fireworks three times, I laughed until I cried, and I cried until I laughed.

So where has the time gone...into memories I don't think I'll forget!

We Need a Football Coach...And By The Way, Can You Teach Fifth Grade?

2008-05-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Well it's that time of year. The job postings for teaching positions for next fall are out in full force, plastered all over the Des Moines Register, Iowa REAP and Iowa Education Jobs, not to mention every teaching website I seem to visit. For the first time in a long time, or 5 summers to be exact, I am not spending my summer perusing them and sending resumes, copying credentials, and creating a way to get to the moon and back in hopes of getting a principal to make a phone call asking me for an interview. In the education field that often is progress. I'm not here to vent about the job application process. That's a completely different story, of which I have many opinions about. But since it's second nature for me look at the help wanted section I noticed something else that I think bothers me more. Below are two actual postings from the Teach Iowa website...

Position:5th grade , AD, Boys HS Basketball Job ID: 13206Posted: 05/06/08
Job Description:5th grade math and science with athletic assignments Other:Salary commensurate with experience based upon state base salary and placement on district master contract salary schedule.
August 18, 2008 starting date.
Send resume and cover letter to Superintendent's Office along with letters of recommendations.
Contact Information:Seymour Community School District
Contact:Dr. Gary Drummond 100 S Park Seymour, IA 52590 641-898-2291 Fax: 641-898-7500

Position:4th Grade Language Arts Job ID: 13254Posted: 05/08/08
Job Description:4th grade reading and language arts. Varsity Volleyball would be a great opportunity. Excellent Talent. Returning All State player plus 3 other starters off team that made it to Regional Finals. Great facilities and community support. Present teacher coach took position at Indianola HS as head volleyball coach. Other:Varsity Volleyball
Contact Information:Twin Cedars Community School
Contact:Brian VanderSluis 2204 Hwy G71 Bussey, IA 50044 641-944-5241 Fax: 641-944-5824 http://www.twincedars.k12.ia.us

So my questions for Gary and Brian are this...do you want a high quality fifth grade teacher or a basketball coach that can supervise 11 year olds when not at practice? And maybe more than one sentence about the 4th grade teaching position rather than waxing eloquently about your volleyball team. So the kids can bump a ball...can they read? I know athletics are a part of every school system and I'm well aware that they can do great things for kids, but what is a better focus? Is it possible to hire the best 5th grade teacher and look for a coach and AD separately? It is possible that one person could do both jobs well, but are you going to count out a person that could be a fantastic teacher for forth or fifth grade just because they are not athletic?

Listing coaching positions in addition to teaching positions is fine. But finding a classroom for a coach to occupy the hours before practice isn't. I think kids deserve much better than that.

A few about me's

2008-05-08T10:16:00.000-07:00

My full name: Elizabeth Anne McWilliams

My nicknames and how I got them: Betsy - I got it because Mom and Dad liked it -I think it's unique and BMW - my students figured out on their own that my initials were just like the German automobiles I love - they would chant the letters in the hallway as I passed

My favorite hang out: Pat McGuire's Irish American Grill - the best good clean fun I've had in a while.

My favorite colors: green, red, and yellow

My favorite scents: Easter lilies and men's cologne - and hopefully I'm smelling it on him

My childhood ambition: to be a rock star - haven't made it - yet!

My fondest memories: EBC retreat days with all the girls (Lauren, Candy, Danielle, Maggie, Cristina, Mandy, Sarah, Ellie, Rebecca, Eunice, and anyone else I forgot) and CBC youth group summers.

If my life had a soundtrack it would be: The music of Amy Grant - life is great, messy, and full of purpose all at once

My wildest dream: To lead worship music with MWS, Chris Tomlin, and Bono - all together

My proudest moments: Conducting Handel's Hallelujah Chorus for my 225 students all crammed onto a stage at once and the audience packed with people - I was proud of them! And watching the junior high students perform Romeo and Harriett to a packed and roaring auditorium.

My biggest challenge: Being a choir and drama director when I had VERY LITTLE experience.

My idea of a perfect day: Road-tripping with friends to enjoy food, music, shopping, and each other

My job: Teacher

My last purchase: a CD for my manfriend

My life ...is insane but beautiful - and that's the way I like it!

Lay Down Sister, Lay Down

2008-05-06T15:09:00.000-07:00

I was going to post a list today about myself, but those plans changed quickly and God puts your life into perspective. I logged into the EBC website to get the original list and found that a classmate of mine had passed away suddenly. She was the same age I am. She was expecting her third child, a boy this summer. Now a husband and two little girls are without their wife and mommy.

I didn't know Lois well, and probably can count on my two hands the number of conversations I had with her. Being honest I remember thinking unkind thoughts, now which I regret. I remember she had incredible spunk and her huge smile. She had a bubbly personality and she stood out in the freshmen class as a person that thought deeply and cared much for what she was there to study.

Lay down sister and be with Jesus. We will miss you here on earth and see you again someday.

Lay down softly in our sorrow
Lay down sister to die
And cover over, my sweet Father
Cover over her eyes

Your broken body, it cannot weather
The years your youth still longs to spend
So go down graceful, sleep with the angels
And wake up whole again

‘Cause it was not your time; that's a useless line
A fallen world took your life
But the God that sometimes can't be found
Will wrap Himself around you
So lay down, sister, lay down

Slower passing are the hours
To tell this tale that takes its time
But the finest moment, no man can measure
Is to look your Savior in the eyes
So take her tender to Your table
Take her from this killing floor
To taste the water that is forever
Let her be thirsty no more

It was not her time; that's a useless line
A fallen world took her life
But the God that sometimes can't be found
Will wrap Himself around you
So lay down, sister, lay down

And the God that sometimes can't be found
Will wrap Himself around you
So lay down, Lois, lay down

~ Bebo Norman

My Des Moines Top 10

2008-03-29T15:14:00.001-07:00

My Top Eight Favorite Places in Des Moines...so far. I wanted to make it ten, but I'm out of time and ideas. Suggestions are great.

8. Dahl's Foods on Ingersoll Avenue

Finally a grocer that caters to us that live by ourselves. The hardest part of cooking for yourself when you enjoy cooking isn't deciding what to make. It's paying money for groceries that go bad before you use them because you have to buy to0 much. Dahl's has helped me solved this problem. I can walk out of this Dahl's with 2 new potatoes, 1 carrot, 2 fresh mushrooms, 2 stalks of celery, and some snow peas and all will be go in my tummy and not my trash can. Plus, every one is friendly and real. Often you don't get that anywhere else.

7. Beaverdale

My aunt and uncle have lived in this neighborhood for almost 30 years and I now know why. There's not place quite like it in the city, with nice older homes that aren't pretentious and local businesses that really care about their customers. When I have some time to kill and I'm close to it I love to explore its streets.

6. Gray's Lake

New York City has the urban park figured out, but in central Iowa's largest city Gray's is a nice oasis from the hustle and bustle of downtown and the chaos that is Jordan Creek Mall (the lake there will never match this, especially since all you smell there is Joe's Crab Shack). The path is nice, mostly flat and a good distance around. Not to long or too short. It's good place take a date!

5. Centro

There's a reason why this place was voted Best Restaurant. Period. by Cityview - because it is. I love that I can go to Centro in jeans and feel at home and well taken care of, and yet dress up and feel special. George Formano knows what he's doing, and I don't say that just because his sister is a co-worker.

4. The West Des Moines Library

This is Netflix for the poor and their selection is pretty good.

3. The Gateway Market

The vibe here is hip but Midwest. You can go to buy groceries or have coffee in your wind pants and feel comfortable either way. My favorite TV chef, Ina Garten, is always shopping at these gorgeous Euro markets on the East Coast and I always wanted to find a place where she would feel like home. This is it. Although I have to be wise about what I buy because the income isn't the largest, there are several treats I splurge on. You can get the small purple fingerling potatoes you see in Gourmet and buy pizza dough to take home. They also have 99c foccacia rounds from South Union that are to die for. I'm still saving to buy a cupcake...someday!

2. Ingersoll Avenue

This street amazes me. Des Moines is a local business town for many of the die hards, which is probably why Ingersoll is so successful. Chains don't survive here. They put up a Walgreens only to have it close and be converted to Palmer's Deli, one of the best lunch spots if you can swing it. I have yet to really explore many of the shops. I just enjoy that we have a neighborhood that nurtures and supports them so we don't get the same old stuff all time.

1. Sherman Hill

For an old house person this is Disneyland. I suppose it's because my parents lived in Oak Park, Illinois before they came to Iowa that has given me my fascination with old stuff. It seems almost every house here has a story, whether is been restored, is in the process or hasn't been started yet. There are people moving in there that really care about realizing all the potential in those old places. The neighborhood is also framed by Hoyt Sherman Place and the Gateway Market. Now if they get a few more cool stores it will be fabulous.

Welcome

2008-03-28T16:19:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog. I am not going to attempt to entertain or have profound bits of wisdom, but mostly sporadic thoughts from a girl that is becoming, growing and trying to figure out who she is and what this life is all about.

I've thought a lot lately about the word becoming, hence the title of the project. As I've said goodbye to some and met so many new people over the past year I've thought about who I am and how so many of the pieces of the puzzle that make up me are so different. Do people really know me or just part of me.? I asked a new friend recently if there was more to him than his job, because that was the only thing that was on his mind. What makes him passionate, what gives joy, and what brings sadness? He couldn't answer. Are we really that simple? I beg to differ that we're not.

My family knows the most. My dad knows that I love to take old things and make them new again and in the process fill up his garage and house with my stuff! My mother knows that politics have changed in the last 8 years and that if I had a few minutes with Dubya I'd give him a few pieces of my mind. That's for another entry! My sister has been by my side since January of 1981. We've laughed, we've played, we've fought, and until she got married our life milestones were all 15 months apart.

What is it certain friends know that others don't?

I'm a proud Irish lass...
Yes, I am and I didn't really discover it until a year or so ago. With a name like McWilliams it's inevitable that I wondered, but I had never given it much thought...until I met my friend Katie and Stephen's Green. Who wouldn't love a land that is beautiful, rich with history and wonderful music too! At the top of my list of places to visit is Ireland. I can't think of another place on earth I want to visit first.

I'm a HUGE fan of everything Elton John...
What it was I'm not sure, but ever since I bought his greatest his compliation a few years ago I have fascinated by how this man can write. At the top of the list of concerts to see before I pass is him...and that's over Michael W. Smith!

I love musical theater....
Yes, I love to listen to it and see it, but someday I hope I get the nerve to really try it. Other than the role of Mother Rabbit in Mrs. Lenherr's production of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" in 1st grade, playing twins in the 8th grade musical, a stint as a nun in "The Sound of Music" and an shaft as a "pit munchkin" in the Wizard of Oz, which I am still bitter about I haven't done much else, even though I believe I can. I directed 3 junior high productions but haven't been on stage since high school, which I forgot my last stage show was Guys and Dolls as a member of the mission band. I put in my bio in the Aquin musical last year that someday I want to the play the part of Elphaba in Wicked, which isn't just a pipe dream...I really do!

I love American Idol...

I want to be a parent someday...

I can't stand people with no common sense...

I would like people to think I read more than I do, or at least think that I read more serious stuff than People magazine....

I think Ryan Seacrest is a genius...we'll get into that later.

I wish I had a brother, because just maybe I could relate to the opposite more and he could help me when I have to move all my stuff...

There is so much more...but like me this blog is becoming and I'm getting hungry...