tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54740403901271291922024-03-13T13:51:20.843-06:00A Little Slice of SunshineUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-16162455881319160682014-02-07T10:01:00.000-07:002014-02-07T10:05:58.216-07:00A student staged a fake proposal--- and other musings from the classroom.** I was grading book reports this morning and came across this gem of a summary of <i>The Jungle Book</i>:<br />
<br />
"Mogile had to license for hours then the panther jumped out and waked all the banger-log, hold on brother and bolo came out and got all the banger-log away from Mogile came out of the opining and Kaa the seven foot python struck and the bander-long, the monkey are afraid of the snake."<br />
<br />
I don't even know where to begin trying to figure out what he was trying to say. <br />
<br />
** Nate sent me flowers last week and they were delivered during fourth period. It also happened to be my rowdiest class. The flowers got them all sorts of off track and led to many questions about who sent the flowers, if I had a boyfriend, etc. Well--- fast forward a week. I was waiting for a couple students to finish their assignment at the end of class and one boy, who is a royal pain in my behind and who doesn't give a dang about school, started a conversation with me:<br />
<br />
Him: So, Miss Koster. Are you going to get married? Are you engaged?<br />
Me: Nope, I'm not engaged.<br />
Him: Well do you want to get married?<br />
Me: Of course I do.<br />
Him: Well do you want to get engaged?<br />
Me: Yep!<br />
Him: Do you want to get engaged to the boy who sent you flowers?<br />
Me: (probably blushing a bit...) Haha. Um, we'll see!<br />
Him: So that's a yes!<br />
Me: Haha. Time will tell!<br />
<br />
Then another student chimes in:<br />
Student: Hey! Have you heard of Sheri Dew?<br />
Me: I have!<br />
Student: Did you know she has never been married?<br />
Me: I did know that. <br />
First Student: Who's that?<br />
Me: She's an LDS speaker.<br />
Student: Yeah. My mom listens to her.<br />
Me: Cool. <br />
First Student: I listen to Eminem.<br />
<br />
I didn't even know how to connect the two people. Thankfully the bell rang and they were out the door.<br />
<br />
** Also in that same class period, a student staged a fake proposal. To me. Here's how it all went down:<br />
<br />
I was giving the class instructions for their assignment and ended by asking if anyone had any questions about what to do. One student raised his hand. I called on him only to see him get down on one knee with a little black box in his hand.<br />
<br />
Him: Miss Koster. I have a question.<br />
-- I was totally speechless. I had NO idea what he was up to.<br />
Him: Will you <i>please</i>... (long pause as he flipped the box open) take this from me? I have no idea what it is!<br />
<br />
At that point, I lost it. He was blushing, I was blushing, and the whole class was in an uproar. It was hilarious. I took the box from him and examined it and discovered it was cello rosin. I told him I wasn't sure what he was doing and if I was going to have to report anything to the boy who sent me flowers.<br />
<br />
This then began a long line of questions about if I had ever had a student actually propose to me and what I would say if that ever did happen (BTW-- the answer is NO. Just so we're clear.). After about ten minutes of the class being sidetracked, I finally got them back on track and working. It was by far one of the funniest moments of my teaching career.<br />
<br />
** It's times like these that make me so grateful for my students. They make me crazy some days, but more often than not, they make me laugh. And when they do, it helps me remember why I do what I do and how much I love my job and my kids. If I ever have to leave the teaching profession-- or even my school-- it's going to be one of the hardest things I will ever do. I'm glad I chose a career that I love and have a passion for. It makes going to work every morning at 7 am not quite so bad. :)<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-40464436055148546622014-01-03T15:56:00.002-07:002014-01-03T15:57:09.891-07:00Peace Out, 20132013 was quite a year. It flew by faster than any other year so far. It seems like time is moving faster and faster. Hopefully 2014 slows down a bit. As is tradition, here is a quick recap of this past year and all the wonderful things that happened:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Nearly froze to death in the frigid single digit temps we had all of January.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Took a few days off of work to watch Emmett so Kelsey could fly to Chicago for Riley's boot camp graduation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Turned 29. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Finally got to see my cousin Wes when he got home from his mission.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Spent Spring Break in St. George with my mom, dad, and Skyler. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Finally visited Zion National Park.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Had a crazy sewing bug, so I made an entire quilt in one weekend.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Ate my weight (and maybe more) in fresh peas from the garden. I seriously live for June every year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Studied my brains out for and took the Praxis II.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Passed said test and officially upgraded my teaching license to a level 2 license. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Finally joined the iPhone world. I LOVE it. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Spent two weeks in July teaching a program for gifted and talented elementary school kids. And I became very grateful that I chose secondary education as my field.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Our family was finally all together again when Riley came home from Navy training.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Spent the first week of August in Denver helping my friend Jill with her kids after she had hip surgery.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
-Finally went camping for the first time in ten years. It was magical.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Started my FIFTH year of teaching. Still can't believe I'm that far in already.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Spent four days in California with my family. My cousin Eric got married, so a bunch of us headed down to celebrate. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Finally got to go inside the San Diego Temple. Oh. My. Gorgeous.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Took another day or two off work to play with Emmett again so Kelsey and Riley could venture to Denver for a Sox game.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Made it to 2 BYU football games. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Discovered that all my time in the sun has started to cause damage. I had the first of what I'm sure will be many precancerous moles removed.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Watched my incredibly talented students put on <i>Seven Brides for Seven Brothers</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Celebrated with my family the day Nicole and Chaz finally got to adopt a sweet baby girl.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Ate waaaaayyy too much food on Thanksgiving.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Took a chance on a dating app. Said chance paid off. :) I was lucky
enough to meet Nate, and I'm learning what it takes to do a long
distance relationship. Wish me luck, folks. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Learned how to time the basketball games at school. Nearly messed things up quite royally.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Spent Christmas Eve sick as could be--- complete with a fever, chills, and general feeling of death.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
- Spent more time than I can count with my family and friends, realized just how richly I have been blessed, and have learned more about my capabilities and who I am than ever before. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can only imagine that 2014 is going to be even better than 2013 was. I'm excited for what is in store for me. It'll be a good year.... even if I am turning 30 in March. :)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-59429567305680908982013-11-09T20:23:00.000-07:002013-11-09T20:23:59.387-07:00Bucket ListWith my 30th birthday a short five months away, I've been thinking of things I'd like to accomplish in the next ten years of my life. My twenties were full of some good stuff, and I'm thinking my thirties ought to be equally as great! Turning 30 isn't something I'm really looking forward to, but I figure if I have a list of awesome things to do, it might make it a tad easier! :)<br />
<br />
1- Get a passport.<br />
2- Use said passport to travel internationally. Europe or New Zealand would suffice.<br />
3- Go to Harry Potter world.<br />
4- Do something BIG for my 30th birthday-- Disneyland or some other equally fabulous trip. <br />
5- Pay off my student loans.<br />
6- Learn to play the piano.<br />
7- Visit Washington, DC.<br />
9- Go on a Church history tour.<br />
10- Visit every temple in Utah.<br />
11- Ride a zip line.<br />
12- Ride the Alpine Slide.<br />
13- Go snowboarding or skiing.<br />
14- Visit New York. Walk through Central Park.<br />
15- See Wicked. or Les Mis. Or Newsies. Or all three. Really, any Broadway play would do.<br />
16. Visit Hawaii.<br />
17. Buy a home.<br />
18. Visit Arches National Park.<br />
19. Read the books on my never-ending list of books to read.<br />
20. Visit the Oregon coast.<br />
<style> <!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style><br />
-->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-31847278088857873502013-09-13T21:05:00.000-06:002013-09-13T21:05:33.209-06:00New School Year = A New Round of Funny CommentsI don't know if anyone even reads this ole' blog anymore, but it's a good place for me to record things! <br />
<br />
A new school year started and has been going for almost four weeks now. My kids are pretty good this year. It took them a week or so to really settle in and get serious about school, but now we seem to have a good routine, and they know what to expect from me and they know how I run my classroom. And of course, they are always witty and say the most hilarious things. And so, here is round one of comments I have collected so far. (They have said MUCH more than I post, but I write down everything I can remember!)<br />
<br />
* On a student information sheet that I have parents fill out: "She faints easily, but it's nothing to stress over." Mmmmkay. So you're telling me not to stress when your daughter passes out in my classroom? Right.<br />
<br />
* We were talking about capitalizing the names of nationalities. One that I mentioned was European. Naturally, that induced a large amount of giggling from some of the boys. One boy turned back to another who seemed to find it funnier than most, and sarcastically said, "Laugh it up, Chuckles." That's when I lost it. And so we got sidetracked and had a little giggle fest for a minute. That class has become one of my favorites already.<br />
<br />
* I have my students write me a letter to tell me about themselves. One boy was telling me about his family and said, "I really like the smell of my two sisters' hair. It always smells really good." --- Does this comment concern anyone else? What eighth grader normally smells their sisters' hair?<br />
<br />
* In another letter, one girl was telling me her feelings about writing. She informed me that, "Most of the writing people do is horribly written or it is opera." Good to know. Perhaps we need to work on learning the definition of opera.<br />
<br />
* I intercepted a note that was being passed between a boy and a girl. The last thing she wrote before I took it? "I sleep more heavlyer than you." Awesome.<br />
<br />
* I often ask my classes on Friday if anyone has fun plans for the weekend. One student asked me what I was going to be doing. The conversation went as follows:<br />
Me: "I'm going camping for the first time in about ten years!"<br />
Him: "Seriously? Why haven't you gone sooner?"<br />
Me: "Well, I haven't been able to find anyone to go with, and I haven't wanted to go alone."<br />
Him: "Take all of your friends with you!"<br />
Me: "They are all married and it's hard to find a time to get together."<br />
Him: "Wow. You live a really sad life!"<br />
Me, in my mind: "Oh wow! Haha. I guess I kind of do!"<br />
Seventh graders have no filters, and are usually brutally honest in their comments. Gotta love it.<br />
<br />
* Today I was showing an example of a story I had written so they could see what they were going to do. The story was about the time I hiked to the top of Timp and got stuck in an insane storm. I ended the story by saying how it's kind of funny that that particular trip has become one of my very most favorite memories. One boy (different that the camping comment one) raised his hand and said, "Wow. You must live a super sad life if that storm is one of your best memories." I explained that it was a fun time with my dad and sister and that's why it was a good memory for me. He insisted that my life is still sad. Thanks, buddy! <br />
<br />
* We have a classroom "Twitter board" that students get to post on every time they finish a book. I have them write the title of the book then create a hash tag explaining how they liked the book. One clever boy finished Hunger Games and hash tagged it with "oddsnotinfavor". Haha. It made me laugh.<br />
<br />
I think I have one of the most entertaining jobs on the planet. My students are the best and I am loving this new group! Here's to another great year! :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-74316622963301000222013-08-11T14:56:00.001-06:002013-08-11T23:40:16.207-06:00Where, oh where has my summer gone? Oh, where, oh where did it go?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I can't believe summer is already coming to a close. I have to be back
to work in four days, and the kids come back in eight! I haven't done a
ton of big things this summer, but I've been plenty busy having fun with the things I
did do!! Picasa is being difficult, so instead of a nice collage, you
just get an overload of individual pictures! And now Blogger is being difficult, so they are all completely out of order! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYln-z1hszTNdqVbPh1hV1pTPwgdL4nSHFzf6Q1iDSFqgG58B6T218wSgi824cqeYJeZ2z6Vd_900kSncvhDg8m6y3WiHj8B_l9qioXjxSFOpwfJ6L6kPgD6JCq3Cfb0h9e5pxAN9tv8/s320/photo(1).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of July, I flew to Denver to help my friend Jill after she had surgery. I had a blast hanging out with her and playing with her cute girls for a week. Sadly, this is the only picture I have of the event.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6ub9gRl1UiAl60iZD3mBu-208nNURjVQsu_dDEDcrgI3PwlqTa_oiCx2c0f6i508Yskm5vbDmw4gi_kZ4UpiXxFTgjyde6-_NXCS2XJ9gNf4F17E5TKgGET-br6CqOxLdNPvzy8a3h4/s1600/photo(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6ub9gRl1UiAl60iZD3mBu-208nNURjVQsu_dDEDcrgI3PwlqTa_oiCx2c0f6i508Yskm5vbDmw4gi_kZ4UpiXxFTgjyde6-_NXCS2XJ9gNf4F17E5TKgGET-br6CqOxLdNPvzy8a3h4/s320/photo(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sweet girl makes me smile. Love her to pieces!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRW4fBSq88DHAtiUurRtIjdQrl2JxvjFqpZllohgfPDt8OI3Gb5ZxImltKV2T8I5VzIssKTfUYvnPvWA2SbumRhD0_iWmRlJQdL-wFB5BR-F3w_PEmOyFJwYs_nlnDxmmHNDrKlHRyec/s1600/photo(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRW4fBSq88DHAtiUurRtIjdQrl2JxvjFqpZllohgfPDt8OI3Gb5ZxImltKV2T8I5VzIssKTfUYvnPvWA2SbumRhD0_iWmRlJQdL-wFB5BR-F3w_PEmOyFJwYs_nlnDxmmHNDrKlHRyec/s320/photo(3).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little miss turned 4 in July! She is the cutest, sweetest lil' lady there is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoR-dkKhT-5sj_h2bICiuVRb5AkkPqpL8C4720LzAXZXsu8nkjWHPGJfifeXLEHiSbMzx6g85xzDse5RSZq7kVrJBxXPp0YzpbjYBODVJlRU7OULb3UmtXMrSHQ-2Yaovc_q-ZsvSfw4/s1600/photo(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwoR-dkKhT-5sj_h2bICiuVRb5AkkPqpL8C4720LzAXZXsu8nkjWHPGJfifeXLEHiSbMzx6g85xzDse5RSZq7kVrJBxXPp0YzpbjYBODVJlRU7OULb3UmtXMrSHQ-2Yaovc_q-ZsvSfw4/s320/photo(4).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyler was a gem a helped me one morning at a class I was teaching. I seriously have the best brother!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8Jl5jLvXg48qYUoUuL8aObz57CNP73OraDvEzp8k6o7pHy4MHbalNtQMHcD72MeWqILJ6KlWzM5RYhJrd-dBG8DhS_9QX-GvSO38iDTVw_9LagQW4vOH-8vuNliMnqgcbJxCHjM5NwA/s1600/IMG_3328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8Jl5jLvXg48qYUoUuL8aObz57CNP73OraDvEzp8k6o7pHy4MHbalNtQMHcD72MeWqILJ6KlWzM5RYhJrd-dBG8DhS_9QX-GvSO38iDTVw_9LagQW4vOH-8vuNliMnqgcbJxCHjM5NwA/s320/IMG_3328.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On July 27, Riley came home from 8 months of Navy training! Our family is finally all together again!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7X11VDdU2dyXfooaevH8lo93xTPJ6qs9MxaPLIOHNezeRKzKHfbAgt-F90g1Q7-WGVaryjGbECPGqCaDkCfSeWnrKTOweyKgOAZtw8yfqcM6KHczY-HgHXPihdljsPsoBzDkdlyuOXE/s1600/photo-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7X11VDdU2dyXfooaevH8lo93xTPJ6qs9MxaPLIOHNezeRKzKHfbAgt-F90g1Q7-WGVaryjGbECPGqCaDkCfSeWnrKTOweyKgOAZtw8yfqcM6KHczY-HgHXPihdljsPsoBzDkdlyuOXE/s320/photo-1.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July festivities-- Clearly the kids found the sippy cup to be more interesting than taking a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OlqI6t42OB_ZMw0AJ7VgSu8tCzkJPVm5Dor8IFHclySaetLtlWx6rPEcf-eKEMrkv3vLpeOZ_Ud1sieI5KZegHxkNZ8WyGMywE3V93tjw-SQNredqB5zM0mb5eourfFO-Vi6w3npjWg/s1600/photo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OlqI6t42OB_ZMw0AJ7VgSu8tCzkJPVm5Dor8IFHclySaetLtlWx6rPEcf-eKEMrkv3vLpeOZ_Ud1sieI5KZegHxkNZ8WyGMywE3V93tjw-SQNredqB5zM0mb5eourfFO-Vi6w3npjWg/s320/photo-2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More 4th of July fun! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JqzYUzuKnXsw7OTnzN9uMhaBrISHs4pQw7KD_otOKe1PF58vCgqq4FMrBK1sSt9caUF3LjPWPOgm7Kug2pFRV1dOo0FN5XBYGXIBQ-kx3sfcbuRJyoIX6Db2Ap-XnFj1_-eP7YqKbuk/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JqzYUzuKnXsw7OTnzN9uMhaBrISHs4pQw7KD_otOKe1PF58vCgqq4FMrBK1sSt9caUF3LjPWPOgm7Kug2pFRV1dOo0FN5XBYGXIBQ-kx3sfcbuRJyoIX6Db2Ap-XnFj1_-eP7YqKbuk/s320/photo.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously. Could she get any cuter? I think not.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUkD9jxPXHe7Y1yhrwvkKOVUUSBpNJxmVy60B61hkq9su-6mQnao_XMaFKkuyHp584bz7xPSbx1DQOC9Ah-0H5gaZV1yoFDfbAZKPpDqavdSQEU3Pc6hNtPZMhpCvBs2xrDCiuPlSdtQ/s1600/2013-06-30+20.59.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCUkD9jxPXHe7Y1yhrwvkKOVUUSBpNJxmVy60B61hkq9su-6mQnao_XMaFKkuyHp584bz7xPSbx1DQOC9Ah-0H5gaZV1yoFDfbAZKPpDqavdSQEU3Pc6hNtPZMhpCvBs2xrDCiuPlSdtQ/s320/2013-06-30+20.59.46.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday night bike rides around the neighborhood with my parents and Skyler</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKPyKRsuGVz-z2eHgAVCl1fP9kHMkgkVgFYwGxtWN7qAAr8RHpzcFKsW7O9HVRtMYa1hcQJ7o87yXgNhgOt-4_-0lpSpJgosgRfXgCwjAyrR4o2hIhbxcTktl08EiOPaxuAL66nXuKRc/s1600/2013-07-02+18.43.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKPyKRsuGVz-z2eHgAVCl1fP9kHMkgkVgFYwGxtWN7qAAr8RHpzcFKsW7O9HVRtMYa1hcQJ7o87yXgNhgOt-4_-0lpSpJgosgRfXgCwjAyrR4o2hIhbxcTktl08EiOPaxuAL66nXuKRc/s320/2013-07-02+18.43.46.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. E and I got haircuts on the same day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2buluFt5boK2o22KwAmH2-BjDW1_N1r4XVSl1YBsAC8LKC07PwsElytIciHhsyoX4LxDoI97E6CxJdyQBJKCLil2efYC2f47jLpFIfnjKh2OTNgth8sCcuZZ9PXnKstp8MVIqo4UIQj8/s1600/IMG_4351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2buluFt5boK2o22KwAmH2-BjDW1_N1r4XVSl1YBsAC8LKC07PwsElytIciHhsyoX4LxDoI97E6CxJdyQBJKCLil2efYC2f47jLpFIfnjKh2OTNgth8sCcuZZ9PXnKstp8MVIqo4UIQj8/s320/IMG_4351.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few shave ices may or may have not been consumed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VprtU93JOW46L1TwxbztcUN6xjsqiMM0JF7f-XRRBfY2844b-Hk58i99OfDkkSezGcQHRGptnwaW6f34nsF0lfUgwNOTtqBZsmXh7UmGy6NOVCHYsV5S6nib4GGWbyNUZ7IK6Ha0wgE/s1600/IMG_5261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7VprtU93JOW46L1TwxbztcUN6xjsqiMM0JF7f-XRRBfY2844b-Hk58i99OfDkkSezGcQHRGptnwaW6f34nsF0lfUgwNOTtqBZsmXh7UmGy6NOVCHYsV5S6nib4GGWbyNUZ7IK6Ha0wgE/s320/IMG_5261.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orem City Summerfest fireworks with my favorite ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyw-ftMs42KYd-EQT9kTTynszUfTvMse8GexHWzI_9yG1EmSAQsW7CTgbkaEbRXXIzk2v9bpXJIjNVvaFdoDgT5ZA_Tv-hPxnC-TC1-_HRbGKumOXjp8oJ-6IybI8Fns8JfiGhedi-1E/s1600/IMG_6909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyw-ftMs42KYd-EQT9kTTynszUfTvMse8GexHWzI_9yG1EmSAQsW7CTgbkaEbRXXIzk2v9bpXJIjNVvaFdoDgT5ZA_Tv-hPxnC-TC1-_HRbGKumOXjp8oJ-6IybI8Fns8JfiGhedi-1E/s320/IMG_6909.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very much needed girl's night out with the ladies--- Brick Oven then enjoying the fresh air at the Riverwoods. Glad they can break away from their husbands every now and again for some fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was a great summer, and if flew by SOOOO quickly. Here's to another great 9 months of teaching before I do it again!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-7476787033300940442013-08-11T12:33:00.001-06:002013-08-11T12:33:56.911-06:00In a perfect world...<span style="font-size: small;">* Chocolate, ice cream, and other treats would be good for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* Summers would be longer... I'm a big fan of getting paid to play!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* The temperature would stay 82 degrees for most of the year. #heaven</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* I could snap my fingers and my classroom would be ready to go for the new year.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* Diet Coke would also be good for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* Mr. Perfect would be easier to find. Heck, he'd be found already!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* People would just get along. None of this war stuff. No bullying. No fighting. Just happiness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* There would be more time to just sit and read. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* I wouldn't crave ice cream sandwiches all.the.time. (seriously, it's a problem!)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* I'd be brave enough to go do fun things by myself. #singlepeopleproblems</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* More people would understand the difference between your and you're. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* Shark week would be at least a biannual event. #nerdalert</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">But...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We don't live in a perfect world. But I'd say my world is pretty close to perfect! I am lucky enough to have...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* A family who loves me and supports me-- and who all live within a two mile radius of me.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* A job that I love more than I ever imagined I would. (How am I already starting my 5th year of teaching?!?)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* Students who sometimes teach me more than I teach them.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* Some really good friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* Mountains ten minutes away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* A house to live in, a car to drive, and food to eat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* A love for reading... and a never ending list of books I want to read.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* The Church. And all that goes with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">* My sweet nieces and nephew. I absolutely adore them. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-59399775330717945452013-05-29T17:58:00.001-06:002013-05-29T18:01:58.566-06:00A Birthday VideoMy little brother has an amazing talent for making movies. He can often be seen with his GoPro in hand, filming the world around him. When my birthday came a few months ago, he got the idea to make me a movie. It was probably the best birthday present ever! I may or may not have shed a few tears. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/urhTk4WM9dw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
I think everyone needs a brother like Skyler. :) Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-55844335225094271142013-02-27T15:46:00.001-07:002013-02-27T15:46:48.674-07:00Teenagers are Funny.It's time again for a "what's going on in the classroom" post. They've come up with some funnies lately, so I thought it only fair to share with you all.<br />
<br />
** My kids were asked to design their own Utopia. I gave them several questions to think about and respond to. My favorite is below.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYPt5DQMcMnSLOMjCh_hH8kckUg_Bc8X0BIofbLznTGf_-qfuR7n4MtgOZJYGzu-AtKJ7EAbdw3cvKOVAORwpnrvJ09_70s8PQHjUVNeIO2txOWMou-REb8w1dW0Aijx_y7_XUwhAbNQ/s1600/IMAG0465-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYPt5DQMcMnSLOMjCh_hH8kckUg_Bc8X0BIofbLznTGf_-qfuR7n4MtgOZJYGzu-AtKJ7EAbdw3cvKOVAORwpnrvJ09_70s8PQHjUVNeIO2txOWMou-REb8w1dW0Aijx_y7_XUwhAbNQ/s320/IMAG0465-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I reeeeeeally hope she meant horses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
** We were discussing the use of cell phones, and the subject of texting and driving came up. Oh boy did that open up a whole lot of opinions. One boy raised his hand to share a story. "One time I was driving with my friend and his mom, and she started to text while she was driving us. The problem is that she is Asian and she has squinty eyes. I was afraid that she wouldn't be able to see in the first place, but then she started texting, and I got scared for my life." (I should note that the boy telling the story is Asian as well...)<br />
<br />
** We read a poem that talked about the moonlight and the way it makes everything look. I asked the question, "Why do you think people think the moonlight makes everything romantic?" (Now I realize that sort of question is a dangerous one with 8th graders, but I thought it'd be funny to hear their thoughts.) One boy's response? "Well, it won't matter if the person you're looking at is ugly because you can't see their face because it's dark." Hopefully he doesn't tell that to a girl.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
** Overheard in the hallway: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Student 1: "Man, what did you spray? I'm like dying over here!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Student 2: "Axe!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Student 1: "Well how many sprays did you do?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Student 2: "Two! One for me, one for the ladies. That's how you do it, man!"</div>
<br />
** And, when all else fails, and you haven't read the book you were supposed to read, just fill in every single answer with something about Chuck Norris. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLefReJlJGenMvYkqVQr9E6R_U0wczp7dkiXsBfUuf6zFTsdajltCKIyEhjGr0AeLj-3VEhOA3TTEdRqOMvncyhKncQa2Su3XOhE2lEfIXxs4zYq5P6OHJpFEGHPaPywkJY6uEx5xsz0/s1600/IMAG0654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLefReJlJGenMvYkqVQr9E6R_U0wczp7dkiXsBfUuf6zFTsdajltCKIyEhjGr0AeLj-3VEhOA3TTEdRqOMvncyhKncQa2Su3XOhE2lEfIXxs4zYq5P6OHJpFEGHPaPywkJY6uEx5xsz0/s320/IMAG0654.jpg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicely done, buddy. At least you got points for making me laugh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Every day is an adventure in the junior high. Glad I get to watch it all unfold. Glad I don't have to live through it again. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-71641408089841308722013-01-25T13:02:00.001-07:002013-01-25T13:02:56.663-07:00Sometimes it's the little things.I'm sitting here in a <i>very</i> thrilling teaching conference. And instead of listening to the award speeches, I thought I'd write a little post. (Because I can only take so much of the teacher jokes/humor...)<br />
<br />
I was in the computer lab with my kiddos one day a few weeks ago, and I had this moment as I was gathering essays where I was like, "Oh my heck. How did I get here? How did I get to this point in my life where I am teaching 260 teenagers and actually loving it?!" And then I just smiled knowing that I'm where I should be. My kids are the best and I love what I do. And then it got me thinking about all the small things that make life wonderful. You know, things like:<br />
<br />
* Fresh popcorn from the hot air popper.<br />
* Time with Mia and Emmett.<br />
* Skyler asking me to become a merit badge counselor so I could help him with the reading merit badge. Even though there are almost 18 years between us, a love for reading is something we have in common. I love it, and it makes me smile.<br />
* Finally having a heater that works. Yay for a warm house!<br />
* Girl's night out with my favorite ladies.<br />
* Hugs.<br />
* Making new friends.<br />
* Reading. I have been flying through books lately.<br />
* Valentine's Day decorations.<br />
* Temperatures above 20 degrees. It practically feels like summer!<br />
* Good converstaion.<br />
* Making things. Being crafty.<br />
* Diet coke.<br />
<br />
It's been a goal of mine to notice the small moments that make life so much better. You know... kind of make the most of each day and live it to its fullest kind of stuff. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-86084072468027525152012-12-31T16:02:00.000-07:002012-12-31T16:02:48.640-07:00Another Year Down...How are we to the end of another year already? Didn't 2012 just start?!? I guess it's time for my yearly review!<br />
<br />
This year has been an adventure, and while nothing <i>too</i> big and life changing has happened, it's still a year worth reporting about! :) Here are some of the highlights:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Starting the year off with a bang by jumping into full time teaching. And jumping between two classrooms for the first two weeks of that. What a wild ride!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Moving into a new apartment in February. Finding one was an adventure. But... when the roomie gets married, and you choose not to live with the newlyweds, 'tis something that needs to be done. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Turning 28 in March. (30 is just around the corner now! Eek!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Finding a human molar on the floor of my classroom. No one ever claimed it as theirs. Siiiiiick.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Going to Phoenix for Spring Break to visit the Hall family.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Going to the Hill Air Force Base Air Show in May--- and getting completely wet and cold from the crazy rain storm. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Going to Nine Mile Canyon. Super hot. But... super worth it. So many cool things to look at!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Jamming my foot into cement curbing in June. Being told it was probably a sprain. But then being told by another doctor that it was really a stress fracture and <strike>wasting</strike> spending the next SIX weeks of my summer in a walking boot, unable to do any of the fun things I had planned on doing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Finding out a couple of months later from <i>two</i> different doctors (and a gazillion x-rays and an MRI) that my foot was never actually broken, and that the first doctor misdiagnosed me. Aaaaaawesome. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Turning something on the lathe for the first time. My rolling pin is pretty dang awesome, if I do say so myself!<br />
* Spending a weekend in Park City with some of my favorite ladies.<br />
* Buying a new car. Poor Nissy was about to bite the dust, so I bit the
bullet and swallowed the idea of having a car payment again. So glad I
did! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Fun Halloween shenannigans with my family.<br />
* Having Kelsey, Riley, and Emmett move in next door to me. <br />
* Spending LOTS of time loving and spoiling Mia and Emmett. Being an aunt is the best thing ever!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Going to the coldest BYU football game ever. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
* Running a 5K to support the Huntsman Cancer Institute in honor of my <a href="http://teamirondean.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Uncle Dean</a>, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.<br />
* Went sledding for the first time in six years. Why do I not do that every year? It was SO much fun!<br />
* Feeling like an adult when I bought my own TV and washer and dryer. Being an adult is expensive!<br />
* Letting Julie take me from blonde to brown--- and loving it! <br />
* Finally being able to quit my second job! I had a great 10 years at the doctor's office, but it was time to move on. Mostly I did it to maintain my sanity. And to have my nights to myself again. Happy New Year to me!!<br />
* Ending the year surrounded by family and friends, and being reminded how much I cherish the relationships I have with the people close to me. Experiencing a death in the family brings a new perspective, and reminds me again just how blessed we are to have the promise of eternal families.<br />
* And finally... LOVING all the snow we got the last couple of weeks of the year. Driving in the snow is not my thing, but I absolutely love, love, love, to watch it fall and look at the snow-covered world. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn7Zx7gglhqtrShTPmPPzCiSS1Hox8xbebYD6spyaZ8OGjaHmwHWa64C0IrZg18CsRKouXBpRspf5Zlh9O3jMXJgCv31oR-ZZtYH2rxoHkRcz9bxRX5cCkQyPO8q9zEuVluJ-Hn7_y_c/s1600/2012+Review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn7Zx7gglhqtrShTPmPPzCiSS1Hox8xbebYD6spyaZ8OGjaHmwHWa64C0IrZg18CsRKouXBpRspf5Zlh9O3jMXJgCv31oR-ZZtYH2rxoHkRcz9bxRX5cCkQyPO8q9zEuVluJ-Hn7_y_c/s400/2012+Review.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
So here's to 2013... I can't wait to see what it brings! I am looking
forward to finishing my Gifted & Talented Endorsement, finishing
my teaching portfolio that will allow me to move to a level 2 license,
spending lots of time with my family and friends, and just enjoying life
and what it brings!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-15438554058409186352012-11-11T13:42:00.000-07:002012-11-11T13:44:25.676-07:00Football. Frigid Temps. Family.It had been a couple of years since I had gone to an BYU football game. I came across a coupon that made tickets only $10 each, so I figured I might as well go! I talked mom, dad, and Skyler into going with me. Had we known the benches were going to be covered in snow and that it was going to be 27 degrees, we may have thought twice about going. It was still tons of fun, though! We bundled up, got hot chocolate, and cheered our mighty Cougars on!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a9D9kej_1ZGXnebsJifZIuZjvhj6QO_-tu0R4rjXT6KDhRcbP-wnyuQiwLbbgAf1y2xGjAhEUfk275AckgDM9XkIT5W5SUcQb_jg2Fu-8mXk5398aeS99N6kLyb88x038oHw90RKXCw/s1600/IMAG0451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a9D9kej_1ZGXnebsJifZIuZjvhj6QO_-tu0R4rjXT6KDhRcbP-wnyuQiwLbbgAf1y2xGjAhEUfk275AckgDM9XkIT5W5SUcQb_jg2Fu-8mXk5398aeS99N6kLyb88x038oHw90RKXCw/s320/IMAG0451.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyler was rather proud of his Angry Birds hat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nppG8G5C1LF0Yxn0BO03ELwwWIeBvn2eVxm32P6v3F5Dp32w1nMcq29eCrysyuGGwAzQvNb_PjpJqLuLdIT0Yvj9AywoO6sw9tcZta88H1oTkvorW-6Bf6Z5vqx2Mvfew0766C5gKcI/s1600/IMAG0452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nppG8G5C1LF0Yxn0BO03ELwwWIeBvn2eVxm32P6v3F5Dp32w1nMcq29eCrysyuGGwAzQvNb_PjpJqLuLdIT0Yvj9AywoO6sw9tcZta88H1oTkvorW-6Bf6Z5vqx2Mvfew0766C5gKcI/s320/IMAG0452.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow removal was first priority upon arrival.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfShlvHkmVzPaWsD8JyghGRcxInLcZLRHPL6kZrRJFyHwZFRgEd_nodmtyb8OTIkJ-kRHKBlgCxIS7b3wUQJj23DA-3VuVlSn8ZpRjjaVxtJpGEbRZCgSAFEbGTX5BTshyphenhyphenfCIgseOesI/s1600/IMAG0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfShlvHkmVzPaWsD8JyghGRcxInLcZLRHPL6kZrRJFyHwZFRgEd_nodmtyb8OTIkJ-kRHKBlgCxIS7b3wUQJj23DA-3VuVlSn8ZpRjjaVxtJpGEbRZCgSAFEbGTX5BTshyphenhyphenfCIgseOesI/s320/IMAG0453.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This flag was so cool. And totally perfect for Veteran's Day weekend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiW2QC4MbVNPyzksScUEmeVRHv7v0vnaqDcu2AbNwMlIYIblDwAgztEzrPPjZ36eENHZk-abPyhZzwj_7ZJAqdkVBxi66i-tPUKga19tA1AV3hPazxXceX9Slp0cTIoabu4z047xf_q_A/s1600/IMAG0457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiW2QC4MbVNPyzksScUEmeVRHv7v0vnaqDcu2AbNwMlIYIblDwAgztEzrPPjZ36eENHZk-abPyhZzwj_7ZJAqdkVBxi66i-tPUKga19tA1AV3hPazxXceX9Slp0cTIoabu4z047xf_q_A/s320/IMAG0457.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fam. We got a hot chocolate seller to stop and take the picture. Took him 3 tries to get a decent shot. Third time's the charm, right? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvUAnoIdsmAFPL3cq5mcGVIHwb3urRG6BQ1IS3GO3F1-dnhualjcMDJA4plyVPuhmffjg0p1fZHky1Agx6a61JtnZJkMjpvETAiYisQR3k_Sha8tmo-Jhkne6s9bisNEObHhOgcA70ao/s1600/IMAG0459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvUAnoIdsmAFPL3cq5mcGVIHwb3urRG6BQ1IS3GO3F1-dnhualjcMDJA4plyVPuhmffjg0p1fZHky1Agx6a61JtnZJkMjpvETAiYisQR3k_Sha8tmo-Jhkne6s9bisNEObHhOgcA70ao/s320/IMAG0459.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to head home. My toes were totally numb by the time we left. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_533468322"></span><span id="goog_533468323"></span>The snow this weekend was absolutely gorgeous. There is something extra magical about the first snowfall of the year. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-64039191253159675372012-11-03T22:11:00.000-06:002012-11-03T22:11:38.591-06:00Halloween and such...Halloween is so much fun. I love working in a school and having the excuse to dress up. And... it's so fun to see the different costumes the students come up with. Always entertaining. There's always lots going on with our family, too. This year was no different. Take a look! :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevRF8g9z7Guvmmab0V-qcHEzf-HlKME-uCTkpPhyOzGAf73Z831UiPFps4PqCRZShjlIhOydp6s7qwa-Q5yDMycEyyjoGF17kaE5j5tvOPqZMELRGmCayYbxblWLxOI5sEhDv_Zxjt24/s1600/IMAG0422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevRF8g9z7Guvmmab0V-qcHEzf-HlKME-uCTkpPhyOzGAf73Z831UiPFps4PqCRZShjlIhOydp6s7qwa-Q5yDMycEyyjoGF17kaE5j5tvOPqZMELRGmCayYbxblWLxOI5sEhDv_Zxjt24/s320/IMAG0422.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia suggested that I be a "happy witch" like she was going to be. My skirt overtook just about everything I did that day... that's what 26 yards of tulle will do! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XCTC33TEwRgMqczJEu8lVOiA36Yq6kGXnIn8MbZGpHPwFKLpXE_8sRRva7ZJdKT-8-cRACdssW3ppSqx9ZrD997DIcF5jd7e-sO_JYSPD1O04hUhCTqH3f3Ef8jvF8Y-BW5ghNGM-u4/s1600/IMAG0423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XCTC33TEwRgMqczJEu8lVOiA36Yq6kGXnIn8MbZGpHPwFKLpXE_8sRRva7ZJdKT-8-cRACdssW3ppSqx9ZrD997DIcF5jd7e-sO_JYSPD1O04hUhCTqH3f3Ef8jvF8Y-BW5ghNGM-u4/s320/IMAG0423.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two very happy witches</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljHKNH_cwZsu5GeafC9Tw5ss1YVVcdggY5m-swyVWGNlUVnq6Q_6QsK5GarKIP1XgPMaSDGxvXnIdjr422VGo1TdjXltOINtaeG54NCCQ5TX_XvA11cFZK9JnpsV6uZILqHZvS9KTT4U/s1600/IMAG0424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljHKNH_cwZsu5GeafC9Tw5ss1YVVcdggY5m-swyVWGNlUVnq6Q_6QsK5GarKIP1XgPMaSDGxvXnIdjr422VGo1TdjXltOINtaeG54NCCQ5TX_XvA11cFZK9JnpsV6uZILqHZvS9KTT4U/s320/IMAG0424.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyler's impression of an old man was uncanny. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsKQszTIqQjOcx8WAYmGsO0jsKECkH141ymA9gbd9I-X3o2iO8NvfqUEuzUwvC_PHjolnik57x2a6tkZ6XwThL3Iv_XyiUhlxmmIlr5V2xYr41RyllqhneR7oQTSat3kD40hYbTHpTUA/s1600/IMAG0425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsKQszTIqQjOcx8WAYmGsO0jsKECkH141ymA9gbd9I-X3o2iO8NvfqUEuzUwvC_PHjolnik57x2a6tkZ6XwThL3Iv_XyiUhlxmmIlr5V2xYr41RyllqhneR7oQTSat3kD40hYbTHpTUA/s320/IMAG0425.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bambam and the witch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EBPACo8TUuj2hznUY-ekHoOvALiGMQBdH0NwGZBcJtZyV6ENQj0vHSS33AyeSIYZh6dgl0M7_MIxr_5euWNwrGgJihtdyMd3yivsfIzlGZOxT3potSygylaEaTU-LERz20NQ1Aibmv0/s1600/IMAG0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-EBPACo8TUuj2hznUY-ekHoOvALiGMQBdH0NwGZBcJtZyV6ENQj0vHSS33AyeSIYZh6dgl0M7_MIxr_5euWNwrGgJihtdyMd3yivsfIzlGZOxT3potSygylaEaTU-LERz20NQ1Aibmv0/s320/IMAG0430.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Wilma. Sadly, Nicole (who was a bat), had to leave before we could get a sister picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It was another fabulous Halloween. I love the traditions we have in our family. Holidays aren't the same without our traditions, and I love watching the little ones in the family get into them now.<br />
<br />
On a non-Halloween related note, I ran a race this morning! I was quickly reminded how terribly out of shape I am. But... it was for a good cause, and it was soooo worth it! My uncle <a href="http://teamirondean.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dean</a> was diagnosed with brain cancer back in July. His kids put together a 5K to raise money to go to Huntsman Cancer Institute for research. It was a huge success, and they had over 400 people come out to run.<br />
It was quite inspiring to see how many people came to support my uncle. He is an incredible man, and an amazing example to me. As I was running along the path this morning, I was convinced that I wasn't going to make it. My injured foot was screaming at me to stop, my legs were Jell-O, and I wanted so badly to be done. Just as I had that thought, I looked up, and coming toward me, was my uncle and my aunt. And then I thought to myself, "Come on, Loges. Dean has brain cancer. He's not complaining. Suck it up and finish this race." And so I did. I'm so glad I didn't turn around, and that I pushed myself and finished. Naturally, I was the last to finish from my family, but they were all there to greet me and cheer me on as I crossed the finish line! Sure do love them!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe7FHe3fqix5fgpZp7FizrZkU7n6KKb8DT6IV6cczx066uvTbiLPu2tqUfHZVdpV6rPTRnwj84fIOf0dffJNXDA69M9Gdy99OK0RuadsX8UIqkTwJjYBF2wo0JZXYrtPGbn7sWSSqB-Y/s1600/IMAG0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJe7FHe3fqix5fgpZp7FizrZkU7n6KKb8DT6IV6cczx066uvTbiLPu2tqUfHZVdpV6rPTRnwj84fIOf0dffJNXDA69M9Gdy99OK0RuadsX8UIqkTwJjYBF2wo0JZXYrtPGbn7sWSSqB-Y/s320/IMAG0431.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kelsey-Me-Nicole.... post race... please excuse my somewhat disheveled appearance and red face. Not the best picture, but it's all I had!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now begins my favorite time of year! TONS of family time, lots of school breaks, and lots of traditions, memories, and food.<br />
<br />
*Also, new date post <a href="http://delightfullydisastrousdates.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. Get ready. It's a doozy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-57885954592897600182012-10-27T21:22:00.002-06:002012-10-27T21:22:31.852-06:00Remember that dating blog I have?Well, I posted a new post <a href="http://delightfullydisastrousdates.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. Go check it out. And please send in your bad date stories!!! I have a few more doozies, but I'd love to hear from YOU! So start sending! :) And tell your friends to send their stories in, too! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-14250890081966746452012-10-12T22:49:00.000-06:002012-10-12T22:58:54.796-06:00People these days...So I was watching 20/20 this evening. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I know, a lovely Friday night activity. Give me a break. It's what you do when you're alone and don't have any plans, available/single friends, or anywhere to go.)</span> The theme of the episode was the extremes people go to in order to improve their appearance. I. Was. Shocked. at the things people will do these days. One guy has undergone 90 surgeries in an attempt to make himself look like a real-life Ken doll. 90! Several people have had a feeding tube inserted in their nose to lose weight quickly. Girls are wearing corsets again to "train" their bones to be smaller.<br />
<br />
It all sounds so smart and so healthy, right?!? I was flabbergasted. But the thing that caused the biggest question in my head was this: Companies are apparently desperate for advertising, so people are having company logos tattooed on their FACES. They do get paid for such a service (<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600145187/Mom-sells-face-space-for-tattoo-advertisement.html?pg=all" target="_blank">one Utah woman was paid $10,000</a>), but I mean, honestly. Really?!? That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. She has now spent over $800 to have it removed, and she's not done yet. <br />
<br />
Speaking of extremes, I just saw Miley Cyrus on the Tonight Show. What the?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc08WMwD2rWpH9hb6EhU8llR-G55lEGfm5PcVm36U_I7OCEDdFQJH0otTkdmohhY9Ec5tFTq4pgxT7iamv3FwMd0dF5A7CX3UrdYLYnHvCBH36fdpE2nnzzICPUYsHEnD-UCAtepR25s/s1600/595147765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc08WMwD2rWpH9hb6EhU8llR-G55lEGfm5PcVm36U_I7OCEDdFQJH0otTkdmohhY9Ec5tFTq4pgxT7iamv3FwMd0dF5A7CX3UrdYLYnHvCBH36fdpE2nnzzICPUYsHEnD-UCAtepR25s/s1600/595147765.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/600145187/Mom-sells-face-space-for-tattoo-advertisement.html?pg=all" target="_blank">Source</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-53930503565368478612012-10-04T18:27:00.001-06:002012-10-04T18:27:44.596-06:00Wheelin' & Dealin'It's about time I post a student story... I don't think I have yet this year.<br />
<br />
My classes begin each period in my room by reading silently for 20 or so minutes. Most of them are really good about it, and love the time they get to read. Today during 4th period, however, within the first five minutes of reading time, I discovered a few sneaky students occupying their time by, oh, ya know, just playing a game of cards... like it's no big deal and that I wouldn't see them (I mean, three of them had a handful of cards, all spread out, ready to play. They had put the deck in the middle of them and were set.). They forgot I have eyes like a hawk...and that their table sits in my direct line of sight. Haha. One of them made eye contact with me and he knew it was over. I confiscated the cards and told him he could come get them after school. Our conversation went as follows:<br />
<br />
Me: Your cards are lovely, but reading time isn't exactly the most appropriate time to play them.<br />
Student: I know, but it's the only time I can play them.<br />
(As if this is a regular occurrence in my room for him---it's not.)<br />
Me: Well, it's still not the time to play cards. Silent reading time is for reading. Silently. Not playing cards. You can come pick them up after school today.<br />
Student: Sigh. Okay.<br />
<br />
I would love to get into his head and see what exactly made him think that playing cards with his table mates would be an acceptable activity during reading time.... or at any point during a class. Thank you, teenagers, for making my job so entertaining.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-51826597846402971242012-09-23T11:51:00.001-06:002012-09-23T11:53:10.340-06:00Out with the oldAnd in with the new. I bought a new car!!! My old car, bless her heart, was showing signs of old age. The clunking and grinding sounds she was making just weren't making me happy, nor were they fun to hear as I drove down the road. They didn't make my passengers feel too safe, either. As Marianne put it, "Um, can you feel that? It's a bit disconcerting." Needless to say, as nice as it was not having a car payment, it was time.<br />
I talked my dad and Skyler into coming with me last week, and a mere five hours later, I was the proud owner of a new car! :) And now I find myself looking for places to go just so I can drive in it. Oh... and can I just say that new car smell is one of my favorite smells on this planet? LOVE it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsT9Qfu0ZWZ1Ubw8L9DfOj2N5EhjfREMRllqdK8HoH5mIoPmQCFGmkP4QX7OvZxfSO4AVWkZpVErHMkqh5OtofUYz2k2VwP_6g9pWF7IYHOPTNSz7vOG5zgN2xEi542UIunk5DqtJpjY/s1600/IMAG0337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsT9Qfu0ZWZ1Ubw8L9DfOj2N5EhjfREMRllqdK8HoH5mIoPmQCFGmkP4QX7OvZxfSO4AVWkZpVErHMkqh5OtofUYz2k2VwP_6g9pWF7IYHOPTNSz7vOG5zgN2xEi542UIunk5DqtJpjY/s320/IMAG0337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farewell, Nissy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIleSaxR0FEcq_m2Zy8rg0aC5YEQ3engq2Lrqhwi6bypOQFBVH1hMMJearhzjzKl1tjrCWFMGRk7n_PPeanCc4A12XA14PVDaFkULPNQPeTjdSr9BVSGV6uVOFV9K7kwQ9k7Pw9fODb7Y/s1600/IMAG0339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIleSaxR0FEcq_m2Zy8rg0aC5YEQ3engq2Lrqhwi6bypOQFBVH1hMMJearhzjzKl1tjrCWFMGRk7n_PPeanCc4A12XA14PVDaFkULPNQPeTjdSr9BVSGV6uVOFV9K7kwQ9k7Pw9fODb7Y/s320/IMAG0339.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she a beaut? *Currently taking suggestions for a name...*</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
*Sidenote-- new bad date post <a href="http://delightfullydisastrousdates.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-20826914963008187522012-09-14T21:28:00.001-06:002012-09-14T21:28:12.294-06:00Please explain to mewhy <i>anyone</i> would want to purchase one of these. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDapabV2Ab6WPE_WcDuO_aBfGHsffo2otivTS9JFFdP-aqlNDKJnYUDoTzPZyFJ9MtZKK4G1guK6iHwfnFuMn-1mn12TkatWp1jX9LRHYWmVPBuiVlsIhnbabZxcefAfRwgxM1Bxz09y8/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDapabV2Ab6WPE_WcDuO_aBfGHsffo2otivTS9JFFdP-aqlNDKJnYUDoTzPZyFJ9MtZKK4G1guK6iHwfnFuMn-1mn12TkatWp1jX9LRHYWmVPBuiVlsIhnbabZxcefAfRwgxM1Bxz09y8/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a></div>
And thank you, Facebook, for suggesting that <i>I</i> might perhaps wish to own one.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-33409885761012810752012-09-11T09:30:00.000-06:002012-09-11T09:30:01.555-06:009/11I'm sitting here thinking about what happened eleven years ago. Our country was changed forever. My life was changed forever. I was a senior in high school, and I remember hearing the news while I was getting ready that morning. My grandma came in and told me to come watch the news for a minute. At first, it seemed like a crazy crash. And then the second plane hit. And the reality set in. How could someone do that to us? How could someone knowingly take so many lives and change so many families? How could someone be so selfish that they didn't care about another living soul? My seventeen year old brain couldn't grasp it. I knew there was evil in the world, but I just couldn't understand how someone could be <i>that </i>evil. When I got to school that morning, all of my teachers had the news playing on their tvs. That's all we did all day. The events kept replaying in my mind. And now, as a teacher, I understand why they did that. History was taking place, and we needed to be aware of what was going on. I remember sitting in seminary, where my teacher canceled his lesson so we could sing hymns and have a mini-testimony meeting. I cried. My dad was a pilot, and I was just thankful he was safe. I didn't know at that point how the events of that September morning would change my family's life forever. <br />
<br />
As a teacher, I feel that it is important that my students understand the devastation that came that day. I think they need to know how much it changed our country-- for better and for worse. They need to be aware that their lives are different because of what happened. My seventh graders this year were one when it happened. One. I don't know if they will ever fully understand just how powerful that day was. But I sure hope they do.<br />
<br />
And I hope that we never forget the sacrifices that were made on that
day to save lives, to save families, and to bring a nation together. I
know I never will. I can't, because how can you forget something so
powerful?<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/MDOrzF7B2Kg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
A teacher I work with shared this video with our faculty. I had never heard this story before, but it was a beautiful reminder of the amazing people that stepped forward when it was needed most. There really are good people in the world. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-78397623744411317132012-09-09T20:49:00.003-06:002012-09-09T20:49:46.604-06:00I really lucked out.<div style="text-align: center;">
Having these ladies as my sisters makes my life a gazillion-bazillion times better. I sure do love them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qDCME9DNQ3oAITcnuZKUkn_iHJlfjtwbVgOVnxu4kPrvLcVQvQ4DqNwYc_Ka1qcZUaeqhg8tcoPJoNZKQGjakeZMfAQHqMSU0gJCgnfoTT4PTh2u5kBbmr8v6COnwNN5fRqAnoeJaTU/s1600/DSCN1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-qDCME9DNQ3oAITcnuZKUkn_iHJlfjtwbVgOVnxu4kPrvLcVQvQ4DqNwYc_Ka1qcZUaeqhg8tcoPJoNZKQGjakeZMfAQHqMSU0gJCgnfoTT4PTh2u5kBbmr8v6COnwNN5fRqAnoeJaTU/s320/DSCN1835.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nicole-Kelsey-Me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-54979053198152246452012-09-01T17:22:00.000-06:002012-09-01T17:24:02.560-06:00A New Blog...A few months ago, I was telling my sister about a recent date I had been on and how completely crazy the guy was. She looked at me and said, "You've got to start a blog. You have so many bad dates you could write about." I sat on the idea for a while, and finally got things up and going. Join me as I write about my terrible, yet humorous dating experiences. And please, if you have your own bad date experiences, share them! My email address is in the sidebar, so feel free to send me a story or two... or three (or more if you are as lucky as I have been) and I'll post them! :) Spread the word-- The more stories, the better!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://delightfullydisastrousdates.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mishaps on the Way to Marriage</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-70414548825643123482012-08-13T23:53:00.000-06:002012-08-13T23:53:22.005-06:00Some random ramblings as my summer ends.Get ready for a blog post completely lacking in cohesiveness. <br />
<br />
I don't know if summer went as quickly for you as it did for me, but holy moley, it flew by. School starts next week. Next week, people! Sometimes when I think that, I get a knot in my belly that tells me that I don't know if I am ready to tackle the task of teaching/managing 250 junior highers. But, ready or not, school is coming. Gulp. I <i>am</i> anxious, though, to see my students again and hear their great comments and stories.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, my days with the boot are nearing their end. Supposedly, my foot is on the mend and I don't have to wear the boot full time anymore. If you do ever see someone you don't personally know who is in a boot, may I advise you to not say to them, "Oh man. That doesn't look fun at all."? I lost count of the number of strangers who would stop me and tell me that. <br />
<br />
What am I supposed to do now that the Olympics are over?<br />
<br />
Speaking of the Olympics--- in my next life, I would like to be an Olympic athlete. The sport is still yet to be determined, but I think it'd be pretty cool. Mostly I'd love to stand on the podium and hear the national anthem played. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5jijG-xb8g" target="_blank">This</a> commercial makes me laugh. Every. Single. Time. <br />
<br />
Lately, I have discovered that TLC has many <strike>classy</strike> shows on. And they are <i>very</i> creative with what they name said shows. For example, I have recently seen "America's Worst Tattoos", "My Teen is Pregnant, and so am I", "High School Moms", and "Extreme Cheapskates" just to name a few. America is full of some neat people, I tell ya. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(*I promise I am productive and that I don't watch TV all the time... when I have watched TV, these shows have just happened to be on*)</span><br />
<br />
I have a recent obsession with rainbow sherbet. Oh. That stuff is like heaven. I cannot get enough of it. <br />
<br />
Well, that's all folks!<br />
<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-5144212408456021682012-07-27T18:17:00.000-06:002012-07-27T18:17:22.465-06:00In which I learned how to be a woodworker. Kind of.*Background: Power tools scare the living daylights out of me. I don't even like to use a power drill. And you can forget about me coming near a saw as its blade goes whizzing around and around, threatening to quickly amputate anything that might get in its way. No thank you. I prefer to remain a safe distance from such things. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
*Fast forward. I was recently having a conversation with a friend, who, when learning that I was terrified of tools, dared me to do one thing a day that scared me, starting with doing something with my dad's woodworking tools. I sat on that for a day or two and finally came to the conclusion that I might as well! What did I have to lose (besides a limb)? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So today was the day that I sucked up my fear and went for it. My dad taught me how to turn a rolling pin on his lathe. Unlike when using a saw, I was the one in control of the blade. Still, sticking a blade into a chunk of wood that is revolving at a blurring speed is a bit intimidating. But, oh my goodness, SO FUN! Sawdust was a flyin', the lathe was whirring, and I was carving. What. A. Blast. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Alas, here are some photos of the blessed event. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-N9TtAY7VD5GqhbkZ66tP1CYm1JKTCy3tnaXhjGQXrfOAktIScBY6JqteBS7Z8h-ntoUUtWv4D4VI3p-M2Kxisn_FbfkPrFuBj9mLwtVmUSvvUqAi-rbwSaeLaSy56iEnvIwuixenIs/s1600/IMAG0240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-N9TtAY7VD5GqhbkZ66tP1CYm1JKTCy3tnaXhjGQXrfOAktIScBY6JqteBS7Z8h-ntoUUtWv4D4VI3p-M2Kxisn_FbfkPrFuBj9mLwtVmUSvvUqAi-rbwSaeLaSy56iEnvIwuixenIs/s320/IMAG0240.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safety goggles are super attractive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0HeV_b1bZRpPq765jPWwL1HNG9rYrLDIofA8gztpcz0JIS1X9YVpCsNOutuengGPwlLA_yx_4LTqefMHk_t7Ft-zYVmeknM423FndtWv87NgJbqhYkJj12Ub4lbxPnfa3YPZ_ilklSs/s1600/IMAG0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0HeV_b1bZRpPq765jPWwL1HNG9rYrLDIofA8gztpcz0JIS1X9YVpCsNOutuengGPwlLA_yx_4LTqefMHk_t7Ft-zYVmeknM423FndtWv87NgJbqhYkJj12Ub4lbxPnfa3YPZ_ilklSs/s320/IMAG0241.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chunk of wood before I got to it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DafijPZNXrc1mqLEcbxW8m8y4Pwlc9z25_BGkOFwODs8XCQUl77KB5h2_mS3izidG4IkeFZvsyjqrwDNQh0GYZehBlTY__j3ztqyhXe3kgkizrvZ88DpYu2ZdDRk1fGYtyO8Hew7m_g/s1600/IMAG0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DafijPZNXrc1mqLEcbxW8m8y4Pwlc9z25_BGkOFwODs8XCQUl77KB5h2_mS3izidG4IkeFZvsyjqrwDNQh0GYZehBlTY__j3ztqyhXe3kgkizrvZ88DpYu2ZdDRk1fGYtyO8Hew7m_g/s320/IMAG0242.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See? I'm that good that I can carve without even looking.<br />haha jk lol. So not true.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWvY_Gxpy6AUcTOr3cuKwKi7JNZd8MA9NkwMkYO1gT9YpPXOPpVj0_M5mrXvt632DiPcHv_5GJ7j7Kulbuo5yp4910EuYzz_BnuyNHQI8pxumS1Jjr4GSi6VIro62EWJeF4eSdcUlcX4/s1600/IMAG0245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWvY_Gxpy6AUcTOr3cuKwKi7JNZd8MA9NkwMkYO1gT9YpPXOPpVj0_M5mrXvt632DiPcHv_5GJ7j7Kulbuo5yp4910EuYzz_BnuyNHQI8pxumS1Jjr4GSi6VIro62EWJeF4eSdcUlcX4/s320/IMAG0245.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See these eyes? That's focus. Well, and [safety goggles] too. (10 points if you can name that movie)<br />My eyes were glued to that speedily spinning chunk-o-wood.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGrGP4UaLdNZ3_EYKhs8Es75nx2heYcrIeHla7_ZxPbkyMZcBs0iTDS6bll6tHL0UmBOJ4m24pA-putY9tLHJ_wq1fxGUCXu6ub_O9UuxK9k0Zcl_JpmOuQ9PgPsZQoYpBNtzDOwGeUI/s1600/IMAG0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGrGP4UaLdNZ3_EYKhs8Es75nx2heYcrIeHla7_ZxPbkyMZcBs0iTDS6bll6tHL0UmBOJ4m24pA-putY9tLHJ_wq1fxGUCXu6ub_O9UuxK9k0Zcl_JpmOuQ9PgPsZQoYpBNtzDOwGeUI/s320/IMAG0247.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My whole self was pretty much covered like this in sawdust... I may or may not have resembled Sasquatch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB6hk3Ee2aLD9stoOglQwi0073W8-Pt-EEbltH33Lax1hwWk6nv-PhBvGiZK4F35RAgM87aMc-u4Zv5I-TUpK04ZeitYv-hG40I4yU5oRRUmfOlxa2MyKdUO7vdQDLOiqqkpsgZLdqvI/s1600/IMAG0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB6hk3Ee2aLD9stoOglQwi0073W8-Pt-EEbltH33Lax1hwWk6nv-PhBvGiZK4F35RAgM87aMc-u4Zv5I-TUpK04ZeitYv-hG40I4yU5oRRUmfOlxa2MyKdUO7vdQDLOiqqkpsgZLdqvI/s320/IMAG0248.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just about done!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjA74_ikRP9MJGv-QLZOuqVLSredGpuV8CbeOEGLHl6kcqXBUmX-ZEh_P6zuMXNePRYgy-rvrlEA6CYDjAZRfWZSwL5wE2LkOecVgXila6W-slIIjLJmMfRr234HeT2NuurMDFFwx_KT4/s1600/IMAG0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjA74_ikRP9MJGv-QLZOuqVLSredGpuV8CbeOEGLHl6kcqXBUmX-ZEh_P6zuMXNePRYgy-rvrlEA6CYDjAZRfWZSwL5wE2LkOecVgXila6W-slIIjLJmMfRr234HeT2NuurMDFFwx_KT4/s320/IMAG0249.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Voila! The final product. A fabulously functional rolling pin.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not too shabby, eh? I conquered a fear and came out unscathed. I even walked away with something I will actually use. Now if you'll excuse me, I suppose I will go help my mum make some sugar cookies with my newly turned treasure. :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-31514564054521433112012-07-10T22:09:00.000-06:002012-07-10T22:09:36.824-06:00The day we celebrated freedom.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyuxM8K3s7bpfLcghQ2Zr7v3WL-LW6gPbqHbLK_Dm2KTtY2fIMynk5wswUvNxlSBmqzqDZfMaZDjkeDYp1D2uXdkS5grqlaImMUko0Be8YLJZ4wbuGe_F3Zgm0zfLlmI_UI4Q3aOkplY/s1600/July4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdyuxM8K3s7bpfLcghQ2Zr7v3WL-LW6gPbqHbLK_Dm2KTtY2fIMynk5wswUvNxlSBmqzqDZfMaZDjkeDYp1D2uXdkS5grqlaImMUko0Be8YLJZ4wbuGe_F3Zgm0zfLlmI_UI4Q3aOkplY/s400/July4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The 4th of July is kind of a big holiday in our family. I'm talking an all day, all night extravaganza. It's serious business, folks. And by the end of it all, I am a zombie. Oh but it's worth it. This year's festivities included:<br />
<br />
- A late night party the night before down at the family parade spot... fireworks, laughter, food, good times. Thank goodness my sleeping-on-the-parade-route days are over and have been lovingly bequeathed to the next generation of youngsters. <br />
- Freedom Run with the Addis family (well... I was the photographer thank you to my incapacitated foot)<br />
- The parade<br />
- BBQ and swimming party at the Stone's house. We have always spent the afternoon of July 4th there. I can't imagine a Fourth of July without it.<br />
- Stadium of Fire. The Beach Boys were entertaining and the fireworks this year were spectacular. Probably the best year yet. The best part is having most of my mom's side of the family there. We took up three rows this year and had a blast together.<br />
<br />
And there you have it. Another great 4th of July down in the books.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(*Thank you to the Californians for sneaking their pretty lil faces into some of our pictures. So glad they were there with us!)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-77920869420155985262012-07-05T22:25:00.000-06:002012-07-05T22:26:11.318-06:00The first month of summer fun...Oh how I love summer time. So many fun things to do. Here's a picture recap of the first month of the break...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWBisxG54a9lS-F9eQDyDvfDk1EDhARCOMn5BLPOCcN953LRgW0LZ63U54uPmQ_zVGm8EsI4qHECOCi-ox7FP9XUGhhIxlEZVRekodLuaKs9hpMss9RQLygyJiHnA1I5lztADo_GeCHA/s1600/Summer2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWBisxG54a9lS-F9eQDyDvfDk1EDhARCOMn5BLPOCcN953LRgW0LZ63U54uPmQ_zVGm8EsI4qHECOCi-ox7FP9XUGhhIxlEZVRekodLuaKs9hpMss9RQLygyJiHnA1I5lztADo_GeCHA/s400/Summer2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seven Peaks- Picnic in the park- Super cool petroglyphs- Shaved ice-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Broken foot- Movie night & sleep over with Skyler- Nine Mile Canyon adventures</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's just something about the long days of summer that make me so happy. Maybe it's the warm weather. Maybe it's the break from teaching. It might even be that I don't have to set my alarm most days. It is possible that it has something to do with all the time I get to spend with my family. Or maybe, just maybe, it is a combination of all of it. Yeah, I think that's it. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy Summer! :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5474040390127129192.post-64366113537105538322012-05-30T13:13:00.001-06:002012-05-30T13:22:36.384-06:00Oh to be 13 again...<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I am sitting here watching my kids sign their yearbooks,
I started thinking about the past school year. I can’t believe I have made it
through three years of teaching! I’ve found that it does get easier. This year
has been quite the year for me. I went from part time to full time mid way
through the year. I then had to re-interview for my full time position so I
could be put into an ongoing contract. I went from 65 students to 265
overnight. To say it was overwhelming would be an understatement. But I have
loved it. They have pushed my buttons. They have made me laugh. Sometimes, they have made me cry. But most of
all, they have helped me learn that my heart really does have room for all of
them. Even the naughty ones.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enough sappiness. Onto the highlights of the year…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Teaching Creative Writing. What. A. Blast!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Having a boy write every single one of his creative writing
assignments about zombies. And another boy tie bacon into everything he wrote.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Finding a tooth (a
real, human molar) on the floor of my classroom. Siiiiick.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Having a student offer to set me up on a date. With her
father. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Finding a note on my desk from a student that said, “Call me
maybe” followed by his phone number. Um. No. That is creepy.<br />
* Getting plowed over by a student as he was running to lunch. We're talking a full on collision. Both feet off the ground. Me, flying through the air, landing on my side and sliding a good three feet before coming to a stop. It was epic. And incredibly painful. I'm sure I looked quite comical as I flew. The good news of all of this? While I was not able to save myself from injury, I did save my computer! My Mac is my baby. I wasn't about to let it get hurt. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Having B8 try to bribe me every day to have class outside. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Having three <i>boys </i>do their research paper on Justin Bieber. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Having one student suspended for bringing (and using) a
weapon to school, having to take one to the office for bullying, and having
another run away on the way to the computer lab. All in one period. Thank you,
A4 for being my “challenge” of the year. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Reading things like, “Sometimes we don’t accept people
different than us because we have heard rumors about them. Like that they are
cannibals or something.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Or hearing a <i>boy</i> explain to a girl why Team Edward was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">way</i> better than Team Jacob. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Or the one time when
I heard a boy tell a girl, “You’re a wendigo.” To which she replied, “No, I’m
not. But I am something similar.” (I still have no clue what a wendigo is… any
ideas?) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
* Aaaand, lastly, finding out this week that there are rumors spreading
through the students that I am engaged. Not sure where that one started. :)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that, my friends, is why I love my job. Never a dull moment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Wingdings;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2