Miracles

So our school had an opportunity to help some kids get some free shoes from a famous shoe store.  Each teacher selected a student, I was able to give two out.  The first student, I surprised told me that his mother and him were going to shop for shoes that night.  I told him he didn't have to worry anymore and they could use the money another way.  There was the biggest smile on his face.
The second student I selected was in my last class.  He had already heard about it, so when I gave him the red ticket.  He jumped around, said a few exciting choice words and was in utter shock.  They both made my day.   

Baby Jesus

So I decided to have some of my classes read the classic "Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson.  Since my classes are very diverse in holiday traditions, my theme/focus for the book has been stereotyping.  We have made it to Chapter 2 and I realize many of my students needed a quick review of the Christmas story.  Hello-the book you need to understand the lingo for the pageant (like inn, manger, shepherds, wise men, etc....)  So we began our discussion about why we celebrate Christmas. Some of them knew it was about baby Jesus's birth.  In order to keep their attention and not be preachy, I had to run the story of Jesus's birth in a ghetto way. 

Mary was pregnant and Joseph's was the stepfather (some wanted to know if Jesus like his stepfather or Joseph was mean to his stepson).  We talked about having to move.  We didn't get to fly a plane, but ride a donkey while being 9 months pregnant.  Then, there were no motels or hotels (inns) available, so they had to stay in a farm/barn (manger).  Explaining shepherds was fun.  Why would people watch sheep?  Who cares?  Good thing my grandfather was a shepherd during his teen years in southern Utah.  They all remember the wise men part of the story, because they brought gifts.  What is frankincense and murr (sp.)?  Then, how does Santa Claus fit into the picture, why do we give gifts, what if you don't believe in Jesus do you celebrate Christmas? What about Christmas trees?  What they didn't have Black Friday? 

Changing people

I find it fascinating that we still try to change people, when we know that we can't force anyone to change.  We don't have control over others, we only have control over our reactions and actions.  We spend too much time trying to tell someone how they need to change, when it is easier to accept that person for who they are and change how we react to them. 

Does anyone know what time it is?

Catchy phrase, in reference to my busy week. 

Monday-
-6am =basketball practice (oh, yeh it snowed, crazyiness)
-7am to 3 pm =taught budding young adults how to read
   oh yeh, the after thanksgiving training took place (or reminders of how we act in class)
-3pm to 6pm = planning, grading, trying to get ahead because I have been behind
   oh yeh mid terms are Friday
-6pm to 10 pm = attend Jazz game with staff and students
  Memory- bus that arrived to hold 50 people was the special bus (missing seats for handicap) had to squeeze on bus to make it to the game
  Memory- students saw the real side of me yelling at a game and the occasionally dancing to make the Jumbo tran
-10 pm to 10:30 pm =drive home, crash
Tuesday-
6 am basketball practice
7 am to 3 pm -engaged young minds in learning, burnt out by lunch time
3 pm to 5:30 pm- helped coach basketball game (yeh, we won)
6 pm - arrived home, too tired to move or eat
9 pm- will crash

What future holds:
Wed
6am b-ball practice
7am - 3 pm -professional development (observing other reading teachers)
3pm to 4 pm - faciliciate staff meeting
make it home before 5 pm
6pm go to temple or look at homes to buy
Thursday
Repeat Tues.
Friday
Sleep in- no practice
Shorten school day
Faculty meetings, woot, woot

I was recently told that because I was single, I had more free time than married people and people with children.  It is like saying apples and oranges are the same. 



Seriously-Black Friday

I have always refused to go to any stores on Black Friday.  I don't have love for the crowds, the concept of rushing into stores like crazy people, being mean, waiting in long lines, standing in the cold, etc... does not appeal to me. 

This year, I promised my sister I would do some Black Friday shopping with her.  I think I made my other sisters think I was crazy.  I try to keep them on their toes.  We looked at the ads and decided what interest us.  There was nothing on sale for us to get up at 3 am or 4 am for.  We decided to sleep in, which is 6:30 am or 7 am ish for me. (almost 2 hours of extra sleep).  We hit Kohl's first, the lines were not long.  We were able to find a few deals and stick to the list.  Then, off to Target, which by 9 am was a little more crowded and picked over.  We stuck to the list.  It was done.  We were in and out in 30 minutes.  The good news is that I didn't hear any negative customers or whining.  Merry Christmas! Thanks for remembering why were are buying gifts for the people we love.

Can I do it?

 Yes, I can.  As many of you may know, I hate heights.  Once again, I made a brave decision to ride a creepy tram up to the top of Snowbird ski resort before skiing season.  I did have sweaty palms, moments of minor not coolness, but overall had a great time with my friends/co-workers.

The view from the bottom.



Look, Mom, I went skiing. HAHAHAHAHa



The group



At the top, happy awkward grin.





Time flies

I don't have much to write because I have been busy, who isn't. 
-working on family indexing
-learning spanish with Rosetta Stone
-adjusting to new changes at my job
-working on my book
-trying to make new friends
-trying to attend activities in my ward and be social
-playing volleyball with school team
-watching students play their sports

That is what weekends are for

The first month of school is always the hardest.  You work extra time trying to get things organized and settled.  Weekends are always something to look forward to (not matter what job you have.)  The bad news is that the first few weekends of the school year, I find myself catching up on lost sleep.  I have been to bed around 9 pm or 9:30 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.  I do try to sleep in on Sat and Sun morning, but I only last until 7:30 am.  (that is sleeping in for me)  Maybe this weekend, I will make it to 10:30 pm. 

Funny Moment

True Story brought to you by me.  As you know I teach Jr. High students, I was feeling frustrated with a few boys in my class.  They were being typical younger teenage boys and pushing each other.  I hate that.  I call one of them over after class and stated with my stern teacher voice, "What are you 12 years old?"  He replied awkwardly, "um, yes?" Quickly realizing my mistake, I instantly saved myself by stating, "Well, stop acting like one and act like the adult you need to become!" 

I am sure he went home confused. 

Much love

I rarely like to do shout outs, but I feel compelled to share my feelings.  (the purpose of my blog.)

A good friend of my grandfathers passed away this week; a man I have known all my life.  He lived a full happy life.  He was able to tell some great stories about my grandfather.  Apparently, it was my grandfather who helped him joined the church (back in the day.)  He was a stubborn man.  I have thought the world of him.  Something about the way he lead his life and was an amazing example inspired me.  He lead his life to the best of his ability and loved all.  He was a straight-forward kind of person.  He had a zest for life.  I will miss Ralph K. Ingram.

Summer pictures

My mom and I

Dreams-those back to school ones!

As a child, ever year you experienced excitement and anxiety of the first day and week of school.  The week before school started, I would have the same dream where I attend school in my birthday suit or forget my classes and missed the first two weeks of school.  Once I graduated from high school, it didn't end.  I had the same dreams with variation when I attended college. 

As a teacher, I feel fortunate because it seems I will never stop having these dreams.  The dreams have changed: my classroom is not ready, I forgot the first day of school and showed up the second day thinking it was the first day, my lessons have not been planned, my classroom moved the day before school starts, etc...  I have been having the dreams for the past week.  UGH!    

Barfing in Boise.

So my family has been in town and of course, one of them was sick right before we all gathered.  The sickness was passed around over the past three weeks.  My mother even ended up attending the hospital at one time.  It was a weird flu thing (barfing and other end excitement.)  I thought I had been one of the few that made it through without any scars.  I made sure I received extra sleep, washing hands, etc...  You know the don't get me sick routine. 

So this weekend, my mother wanted to visit her sister in Boise while she was on the west coast, I decided to go with her and we brought one of my sister's children.  I love road trips.  We visited Promontory Point and stopped for lunch in Burley, Idaho.  It is there I noticed a change in my stomach.  I was careful and didn't eat too much, because something didn't settle right.  It was difficult to drive, so I had my mother drive.  The cramping continued.  Not girly cramps, but painful your stomach is not happy cramps.  I couldn't sleep or find a happy place in the car.  I had to be shifting constantly.  By the time we were at Twin Falls and Shoshone Falls, things had only gotten worse.  I had attempted to use a public bathroom there,  but no avail.  I knew if I started throwing up or whatever, it would not be easy to stop.  I thought I can make it to Boise (2 hours away).  We made it to Mountain Home (45 min away from Boise) when we stopped for gas.  As things had only progress, I was now holding a bag in the car for emergencies.  I didn't want to throw up in my car.  I thought I could go into the public restroom and force myself to take care of business. 

Mountain Home rest stop SUPER BUSY!  There was a line in the restroom.  I got stage fright.  I couldn't do it.  The cramping of my stomach made it difficult to walk, I am sure I looked bad.  Well, I returned to the car while my mother and niece used the facilities.  As soon as I sat in the car, I knew I would not make it to Boise and things were coming.  I quickly grabbed the plastic grocery bag and thought where do I do this.  Not in the front of the gas station.  I quietly went to the side (where the truckers enter) and filled my grocery bag.  My mother came looking for me when she noticed I had been missing.  She noticed the filled bag and quietly got me some napkins.  I was right about not being able to stop when I started.  I emptied my stomach.  The cramping did not stop (maybe for 10 min).  We drove to Boise, I was ushered into a room and was quarantined for two days.  My niece followed me around the house with spray disinfectant. 

I Caved!

I have returned to my place of residence.  It has been quite hot and I live in a place with a swamp cooler on the first floor and I sleep on the second floor.  In the desert climate, it tends to cool off at night.  I have been able to survive with a fan and my window open. Also, I travel during the summer and didn't feel the need for more than the fan and windows open at night.  I should add that I am hot-blooded person, I don't find myself that cold when everyone else is cold. 

After the 3rd day of crappy sleep, I went to Wal-mart and bought a window unit.  I justified my purchase with that people around would appreciate a happier person and not a sleep deprived, crabby, too hot to do anything person.  I am not more likely to stay at home and not spend money.  I know that I could have survived two or three more weeks, but once school starts I need to be a relaxed happy teacher for the first few weeks of school.  Who invented houses without A.C. anyway?  Now I know why the average death age has risen, it is because of A.C.  Happier people live longer.

Why I am not an avid Bike Rider?

Tour de France is very exciting and I have noticed many people out riding their bikes. I thought, why am I not an avid bike Rider? Oh, yeh, I don't like I would look really good in spandex, everything shows. They you put your bum on a tiny little seat that from the back makes your bum look larger than life. Spandex + tiny seat = massive looking rear end. Hence, I will never be an avid bike rider. I am trying to reduce the look of my bum, not enhance.

Invictus

Good poem and movie!

by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Fireflies

Firefly is also known as the lightning bug. I have realized that I have not seen a lightning bug it quite a long time. I haven't lived where they are. Since I have been at my parent's house, I have been able to sit on the deck at dusk and enjoy the little lights that flash in the sky on the warm muggy nights. WHAT JOY!

Then, I pondered why do they light up? I quickly looked up the answer on the Internet and will share my findings: Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. This chemically-produced light from the lower abdomen may be yellow, green, or pale red — wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers.
Fascinating, eh. Then, a small amount of remorse hit when I recalled all the times, I used to catch them and "experiment" with them. (Yes, I killed them and noticed that the "light" juice is transferable onto to skin.)

Cartwheel

As I was watching a "show" put on by my friend's children, I noticed that one of them did a cartwheel starting with the left hand. I am right handed and have always done my cartwheel (when I did them) starting with my right hand. "Oh, she must be left-handed?" "She is right-handed" was the answer. I stated clearly she was starting with her left hand and her mom stated that she always did her cartwheels with her left and she was right handed. Weird, I surely can't do a cartwheel starting on my left, very awkward. I dare you to try it. I did, not very successfully. Good thing, I did in the privacy of my home.

Highlights for the first week in NC

-arrived a day later than planned, but earned a $400 voucher for future flying.
-tried out my new bathing suit and began the base coat of tanning.
-first week weather-AMAZING! it was 70's and 80's with no humidity. very weird!
-Picked up nieces and nephew from their last day of school.
-watched more world cup soccer.
-helped my dad record shows on the Tivo system.
-went to a Durham Bulls game that included fireworks and my nephew having two appearances on the field.
-drove the Gator.
-helped my father moved stacks of wood with the bobcat. (He was disappointed, my bobcat driving skills were rusty-I am too)
-Already seen some old friends and planned some upcoming gatherings.

You know what I am talking about!

So, because it is summer, I found myself outdoors enjoying many things. I love sitting in the grass listening to music or people watching. It is when I stand up, that I am not happy. I feel damp. I had tested the ground before sitting down, the ground was not wet. But for some reason, you feel as if your whole backside is wet and it is damp on the back side. You brush your bum to make sure, because maybe you didn't check the ground good enough, but you don't feel anything wet. Yet, it is slightly damp. You didn't have an accident, seriously, I know when I go and don't go to the bathroom. I really hate that damp feeling after sitting in the grass. It makes you self-aware and scared that you really look silly. You only look silly because you keep trying to check your behind and brushing it because you are paranoid. You know what I am talking about!

The Coast

Pictures from the coast-Enjoy







Crescent City Lighthouse


What happen to this tree?


Pretty colors


Decorating Ideas


Tree Hugger!


Big Redwood Trees


Lighthouses


Lighthouse located at the windiest spot of the western coast in the USA


Golden Gate Bridge


On the golden gate playground


Japanese Tea Garden with cute cousin's kids





The super windy Lombard St.

Sourdough creations

Pictures from the Northwest

Mt Rainer

Lighthouse Love-Point no point

She finally did it.

Seattle Ferry-Puget Sound

Love Liz

Day 11-14

Day 11
World Soccer has started, but I was able to enjoy some highlights of that morning game. Becca and I headed to San Diego. The first stop was the zoo. It is well-known and I loved it. Some many animals, so little time. It was nice to walk, walk, and walk some more. That night, we enjoy Old Town San Diego. What a gem! We toured the new Mormon Battlion Museum and enjoy some good food at a cute place that overlooked the busy street. We enjoy watching the Laffing Red Devils bike gang park at the Catholic church and eat where we were eating. Before spending the night at Fireball's extended family house, I was able to visit with Nene. She happened to be living in San Diego due to her husband working for the US Navy shipyard. What a blast!



Day 12
Starting to wear down on my trip, we headed back to Huntington Beach after visiting the San Diego Temple (no pictures because it was completely covered in scaffolding). Then Becca enjoyed the beach and I enjoyed watching my little cousin play basketball with my cousin and his girlfriend. That night we enjoyed the night life at the Taco Shack. Great Entertainment.

Day 13
Becca returned by plane and I drove to another cousin's house on the east side of LA. It was so much fun to spend time with Dan and Gabby and their kids. I talked too much because, I slept in and talked so more and didn't leave their house until noon. I dung in and drove hard to arrive at my brother's house in Payson to spend the night.

Day 14
Before I made the hour drive to SLC, I visited some great friends working EFY in Provo. The unpacking and laundry has begun.

Day 9-10 - US Open

Day 9
I headed past San Fran and headed down highway 1 around Montrey, CA. I saw a sign for Pebble Beach and was like that was a famous beach, I can stop there. As I drove closer, I noticed all these special signs directing people for golf traffic. I thought, oh, there must a golf thing going on. As I got closer to Pebble Beach. It suddenly hit me, why it was famous. U.S. Open. Traffic was crazy. I can say that I went to Pebble Beach to the US Open. I didn't see anyone famous. It was a beautiful drive, I was able to stop and spend some time watching sea lions molt. Uber exciting and fascinating. Then, I toured the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. Pretty cool, if you like history and great decorating ideas for the rich and the famous with historical artifacts.





Day 10
I made it to LA-I drove past all the cool beaches. I stop to hang out with my cousin Sam who lives in Huntington Beach. It is truly a gorgeous beach. Nothing exciting to report, except my roommate flew in to join me for a few days.