I've Been Thinking...

- There are only about 3 months left in the school year. How'd that happen?
- I need to start looking for a job. Hmmm. It sounds daunting.
- I REALLY want spring to come. I am thinking that the bitter cold can be done. I won't miss it.
- Why do I crave treats... all the time? Why can't I crave a good apple or carrots or something?
- The Olympics are so fun to watch. And it's especially neat when we win.
- In fact, watching them has made me think that I should give skiing another try. It kinda looks fun.
- Only 2 months until graduation. Holy smokes. I can hardly wait to put on the glamorous cap & gown and hold that diploma. It's been a long time coming.

I should probably go take care of that craving for a treat. Have a happy day!

Words of 9th Grade Wisdom

I was helping a student with an assignment today after school, and my phone happened to ring. (side note: my ring tone is "Bleeding Love") I quickly silenced it and apologized to her. She just laughed and said, "Oh, it's okay. You have like the worst ring tone ever. I hate that song. It's like totally last year. I like Lady Gaga."
Well, at least she was honest. And good thing I don't really care if they approve of my music choices. It just made me laugh.

Also, I was forced to once again ask myself the question (this has crossed my mind at least weekly since school started... today was just particularly bad): "Why do 9th graders SMELL SO BAD?" I want to tell them that attempting to cover their post-P.E. stench with various noxious body sprays does not work very effectively, and yes, I can still smell them... from across the room... and so can their classmates. I pity the kids who have to sit next to the especially odiferous ones. Hopefully by the time they graduate high school (or hopefully sooner), they have discovered the magic of a bar of soap.

And... to the sweet girl who picked up her pencil the other day and proceeded to talk on/to it like a phone, while I was teaching, nonetheless, I would like to say that perhaps she should not draw attention to herself in such odd ways. But, I must admit that it provided a bit of entertainment as went through my day.

(Sorry if you find these stories pointless and boring... I just wanted to remember some lovely moments from my crazy kids!)

I've Just Gotta Say...

TGIF.

I LOVE weekends. They are quite possibly the bomb dot com. Really. Time to sleep in, relax, hang out with friends, and get caught up on so many things! Is there anything better?

Am I The Only One

that wishes the long weekend won't end? That tomorrow morning, school will magically be canceled? And I can have one more day to relax? That'd be swell.

Well Hello There...

If anyone knows where the time goes, please clue me in, because I am amazed at how quickly it flies by. Yet another month has gone by since I last posted.

Here's what has been happening over the past month:
- I completed course work for my degree! (YAY!) I will walk in April and make it official!
- The school year is already half way over. And it's time to start sending my file into new districts. (yikes!) Here's to hoping that there is an English job somewhere... anywhere. :)
- I had lots and lots of fun spending time and relaxing with my family and friends over the holiday.
- I enjoyed 2 straight weeks away from school and a break of forced relaxation.
- I am becoming better and better at being one-armed (and left handed). My students still laugh at my horrible left-handed handwriting. Most of the time it looks like Skyler wrote on my board. Nice. Hey... at least it's legible. (and it's far better than some of theirs...)
- I read a few good books, and added a bunch more to my list! (kudos to Mare who is the best at finding me new books to add! Thanks!)

I think that about sums it up. While my list does not look all that impressive or super exciting, I assure you that I have not been too incredibly bored nor have I wished I was busier. Life is great. Here's to 2010 and the good things it will bring. I think it will be a fabulous year!

And, just for kicks... here is a picture of me and my sisters (and niece) ringing in the New Year! (Please excuse the somewhat frumpy look I've got going on. I didn't feel the need to get all gussied up to sit at home.)

Just A Little Thought...

Today... I will---
be everything I want to be.
Tomorrow... I will---
love everything I have become.
Next week... I will---
love others for what they want to be.
Next month... I will---
love others for what they have become.
Next year... I will---
have achieved everything.
In two years... I will---
become everything.

I found this on the back of one of my student's papers (apparently she gets bored during class...). I thought it was pretty neat.

Happy Weekend! :) Enjoy the beautiful snow!

Sisters Make Good Friends

Oh how I love these two girls. They are seriously two of my very best friends. And I love that as we have grown older, we have grown closer. They are awesome sisters, wives, mommies (Nicole), and friends. Oh, and did I mention that both are incredibly talented and extremely beautiful? I am so thankful I get to be their big sister.

Veteran's Day

Today was a good day. In 1st period today, we watched a very touching movie that showed various pictures of military servicemen/women from WWII to the present. I had a hard time not getting emotional as I listened to the music and watched the images. It made me so thankful for good men and women who give up so much to defend our incredible country and the amazing freedoms we enjoy.
To honor our soldiers, we wrote thank you letters today in class. My kids became so involved in their letters and really put a lot of thought into it. It was very touching. I even got 3 other teachers to join in on the fun. 274 letters later, they are ready to send off and will be delivered to very deserving soldiers in Iraq.
So thank you to those incredibly brave men and women making sacrifices, risking their lives, and fighting their hearts out so that we can live the way we do. And thank you to those who have already taken their turn serving. The service rendered has not been forgotten.

Sigh...

Another month has gone by and, once again, I have been a slacker on the blogging front. For the 3 of you that read this, I'm sorry! No excuses, really. I just haven't blogged. There. I admitted it. I'm lazy. (Hey, isn't admitting it the first step to recovery? Sweet. Then I'm part way there.)

I wish I could say that I have been up to all kinds of crazy shenannigans, but unfortunately, 'tis not the case. But, here are some pictures of Halloween this year:

The Addis family made fabulous zoo keepers and a cute little monkey, the Mauch family dressed up as awesome Boston players, Sky was the best secret service agent ever, and I was a sassy rock star. I even had a guitar. That's right. I totally rocked. (no pun intended)

In other news, I made it through the first term of the school year! Grades are submitted, papers and projects are graded, and I'm still sane (well, I suppose that is debatable). It flew by. Seriously. I feel like it was just the first day of school. Hey, time flies when you're having fun!

Well, I think that about sums it up. I will make no promises as to when you will see another post on this blog, since I seem to be a slacker, but I'll do my best. :) Until then...

Quote of the Week and Other Random Ramblings

How has it been a month since I last posted? Apparently time is flying faster than I realize. That, and I suppose I have been a bit busy. But it's a good thing. :) Teaching is more fun than I ever thought it would be, and I am loving my kids (who knew that 200 fourteen year olds could be so much fun?!?!? Well, most of the time at least!).
Speaking of my kids, they come up with some pretty goofy things sometimes that make me giggle. Some of the girls in my 6th period class have taken it upon themselves to be matchmakers. Take the following conversation as an example:
Student #1: "Hey, Miss Koster, there is a sub across the hall today. He's 24. You might like him."
Student #2: "Oh! Hey! My cousin is 24, Miss Koster. He's coming home from his mission soon!" (this is the 2nd time she has offered to set me up with her cousin)
Me: Oh, thanks guys! I love your matchmaking! :) (Thinking to myself: Oh my. Really? Is this conversation really happening right now?)
Gotta love it.

In between writing lesson plans and grading papers, I have been having all kinds of crazy fun. You know, fun things like...

playing with this sweet little girl! Isn't she precious? I just love her to bits.

going to BYU football games,

and of course, going to see Miley in concert!

It was SO much fun! Yes, I'm 25, and you are mistaken if you think I am too old for such a thing. Not so, my friend. Not so. Kels, Mare and I had a great time and loved every minute of it! No shame here. None at all.

So there you have it. My life in a nutshell. Have a happy weekend! (Enjoy Conference!)