Chirstmas Checklist

Completed
1. Saw brother, his wife, and nephew
2. Played with Hannah-newest niece
3. Feed Hannah  illegal things
4. Made eye contact with nephew who avoid eye contact
6. Ate at Goodberry's Frozen Custard
7. Ate at Char-grill
8. Played Wii games with nephew
9. Ate treats by famous friend/neighbor
10. Spent time with parents, siblings, siblind in-laws, nieces and nephews
11. Have lunch with old college friends/roommates.
12. Play Settlers of Catan and won
13. Go to gym everyday (but Christmas)
14. Was reminded why I hate going to the mall especially the day after Christmas

To be completed
1. See old house I grew up in
2. See house my sister and husband bought
3. Buy N.C. State jacket
4. Have 2nd Annual Ugly Sock Hop Party
5. Have lunch with old high school friends
6. Play Ticket to Ride
7. Drive Gator around with nieces and nephews
8. Sew something.

My Pride

I purposely don't write many things about my job because it is a school.  I want to protect my students, but when they do something amazing, I want to share it with my friends.

I help coach girl's basketball at my school.  We ended our season with a record of 4-3 and barely made into the playoffs.  We had to face an unbeaten team in the other division.  We were the underdogs.  We went in and played an amazing game and defeated this team.  Next round, we went in and played our hearts out.  My team lost in the semi-finals by 3 points.  Tears were shed, but also it is how we handled the loss at a very hostile school. 

Some students at the school we played at were not school appropriate.  Racial comments were made to my students and my students kept their cool.  The most disappointing thing is that these things were reported the admin/staff and students stopped when the admin was around, but were not removed from the school.  Therefore, more comments continued.  Example: Students were chanting "Immigrants" we walked into the gym.  I would include that I worked at a 75% minority school and low income school.  We are looked at being the "ghetto" school.  

After the game, we were getting on the bus, more racial comments were said.  Another teacher and I turned around and ask the students to please walk away and leave us alone.  The on-site officer walked up, he told us to just get on the bus and leave.  He was condescending to us, the teachers and didn't address the students for their inappropriate behavior or ask them to walk away.

I disappointed at the other school because at our school, we don't tolerate bigotry.  I watched this school blow it off like "boys will be boys."  Racial slurs are not. 

Christmas Spirit

It is so hard to make sure the holiday spirit stays with us with some many things distracting us.  I decided last week, that I needed to set goals for the season. 

1. I have been listening to Christmas music since Halloween.  I used to hate when my mother would play it growing up and now, I am the dork.  Thanks mom!
2. I have decided that I will look for someone to serve everyday.  It would remind myself that I am not the center of the universe (Dang it.) 
3. Watch a Hallmark movie and cry!
4. Everyday-make a list of items I am grateful for aka tender mercies. 
5. Laugh or doing something silly to make people laugh.
6. Not let the stress of shoppers, commericals, finances, job, etc... destroy my spirit
7. Remember it is not my job to save the world, just live in it.

Black Friday

Why is it we are surprised every year that something crazy happens on Black Friday?  It happens every year PEOPLE and every year, tons of people comment about how shocked they are about people's behavior on this crazy shopping day.    We know, it happened last year and the year before that.  Find something else to dwell on politics, state of our children's education, gas prices, loss of interpersonal communication, etc...  Ugh, I don't like those topics either.

New Topics to dwell:
sports-changes every year, technology-I can't keep up with it, looking for people helping other people, how you are creatively saving money, books you have read, interesting people you have meet or seen recently

AKA-It is time to move, kicking a dead horse doesn't make the horse get up.  Bury the horse and get a new one.    (no horses were harmed in the making of this comment)   

Louisville, Kentucky

I was able to attend the National Middle School Conference in Kentucky this year.  I arrived with a few co-workers on Wed.  We navigated our downtown hotel-the Galt House.  We used the Pedway to walk to the Convention Center. 

Thursday, we visited some other schools.  I was able to go to Indiana that had a middle school with 5th to 8th graders (1500 students)  Craziness!  The afternoon, I attended more classes and wandered the exhibit hall to register for free things and collect free stuff.  Thursday night, we hung out at the 4th street live area.  We were super cool!

Friday-more classes.  Coolest thing ever was that a group from North Carolina was presenting.  I went over to talk with them and found out they were from Raleigh- Students and teachers from Wake-Forest Rolesville Middle School.  10 years ago, the school was my first job.  Coincidence! The students knew some of the teachers I had worked with 10 years ago, when I started my teaching career.  I was able to stop the Louisville Slugger Museum (ran into the NC people)  In the evening, we went to dinner at a fancy hotel called the brown.  Before dinner, we were brought snacks, one of them was cheese its, my favorite.  I said that aloud.  The gentleman brought me my own bowl of them and later brought me a to go box of them.  YEH!
Basketball Game Louisville Yum center was too expensive.  ($35 for the cheap tickets)

Sat- more classes then off to Churchill Downs, yes horse racing.  My friends learned how to place bets.  It was amazing, more photos from my camera to come.  It is interesting to see the uber rich and uber not so rich interact over horse racing.  It was just like in the movies.
Sat. night after dinner, we had a great hotel emergency.  Apparently, someone had smoked a cigar in the building, set off the alarms, many people had to leave the building, firefighters shown up and most people were in the PJ's because it happened around 11 pm.  YEH! 

I made many friends at the conference, some networking, people on the bus, at the horse track, at dinner, and it was great to be super friendly.

Good Day!

After school, I went to Subway to grab some dinner.  I was in line and looked down and spotted almost 50 dollars on the ground.  I picked it up and asked the man in front of him.  It wasn't his, then I asked the family in line in front of him.  She quickly checked her pockets and realized it was hers.  The gratitude on her face-made my day.  I am super glad she was still in the store, I was about to turn it in to the store because it was alot of money for anyone.

Halloween Pictures

Tuckers

Sister

Thing 2 didn't survive

Mummy pumpkin

Let's talk about Red Bark (dyed)

I am would like to send a message to all - dyed red bark is UGLY!  It is not natural and cheap looking. (my opinion)  Please stop using it.  It doesn't look good.  I am on red bark strike. 

Memory Lane #2

It seems I have been very reflective lately.  I was facebooking stalking and noticed all these pictures of Youth Conference in my hometown for this past summer.  My nephew was old enough to attend.  He is getting so big.  As I was looking through the photos of his experience, I noticed all of the leaders were my peers during my experience of Youth Conference.  It made me chuckle, then slightly sad that I am not there having fun with everyone.

I stole this picture from facebook. Love the memories!

I remember the service projects, the super slide at the YCMA, the awkward but amazing dances, laying in the church hallway pretending to be a speed bump, spending the night at stranger's houses and bonding with old and new friends, faking a lost contact in a crowded room, squishing tons of people into a pew because we all wanted to sit together, service projects, water balloons, hearing (not participating) about late night adventures, cool T-shirts, and (of course) the messages that shaped my testimony.  I miss the dances the most.

Back in College?!

I remember when I was getting my Bachelor's Degree at N.C. State.  I was working two jobs and going to school full time and trying to have a social life.  I look back and I was amazed that I was able to do even finish school with good grades. 

I finally sat down with my calendar the other day and did some scheduling because I was double booking and forgetting commitments, flying by the seat of my pants.  My time management skills are in play and it reminded me of those in college.  I am taking a weekly college class for my ESL endorsement.  I am the facilitator of my leadership team at school.  I changed my grading system and lessons.  I am teaching a class, I have never taught before.  I am learning how to teach on the block.  I try to make all my doctor, dentist, etc... appointments right now because once late October hits, I will be helping out with basketball and then coaching girls volleyball in Jan.  I have already attended 3 days of professional development.  Oh, I forgot my parents came into town and helped me with some landscaping during my "free" time.  
 

Thanks for the help!

Picture time

So, my family was able help me take down a falling fence, move a shed, and move 7 tons of gravel.  The shed used to be where the patio stones are laying down.

School Started

I totally forgot to take my picture on the first day of school.  It is going to be an exciting year.  I am teaching on the block schedule for the first time.  I am teaching two new classes, changed my grading system, taking ESL classes, building coordinator for college tutors, etc...  You get the point! I did say no to some things.  My mom was happy about that.

To my friends:  Just a reminder, that the first few weeks of school are exhausting.  It is the stressful time of the year.  I may say no to doing things, but keep trying, I will return to a social state in about one month.

The Help

I saw the movie with my sister.  I cried, laughed, giggled, and etc....  I did see the movie before reading the book, I know, but soon I will have read the book.  I love that it addressed a very historical sensitive subject in a great way.  The book/movie is about courage and it was impressive. 

Memory Lane

Moment: I was driving home from having dinner with some friends.  It was so nice outside, I rolled down all my windows and was flying down the freeway with the wind in my hair and my hand out the window feeling the wind. 

Memory: It reminded me of early mornings, on my way to school (from early morning seminary).  I would desire to have the wind in my hair.  My riders and I would rolled down the windows (even during the winter) and have the wind in my hair, my hand feeling the wind, my portable radio blaring loud, and laughing.  Thanks to those brave riders who did this with me during the winter, to see how long we could handle it with the windows down. 

Some new firsts

Well, this week, I was able to receive my first IV and CAT scan.

Here is the story:
I woke up in the middle of the night by aches and pains.  I couldn't sleep or relax.  I tried numerous hot baths to relax the body, but to no avail.  I released the contents of my stomach in two ways.  Nothing was stayed in my stomach including water.  I couldn't rest or sleep because of the aches, cramps, and pains.  After more than 20 hours of pain, no sleep, and no liquids, I had my sister take me to the Instant Care.  Yeah, received my first IV.  Found my white blood count was high.  After two IV bags, I was still having pains in my right back and abdomen.  I was sent to the ER-hospital for my first CAT scan.   

Results: No appendicitis, bad case of the flu, pride loss, stupidity felt, opportunity to be served, pride loss, sisters helped me, pain meds given to help me sleep, yeh.

Afterthoughts: I tried not to feel dumb that I couldn't handle the pain of the flu, but I understand how people die from it.  I hated feeling helpless, it is hard to let people help you.  The flu hit hard, but did not linger.  I am doing better, but still slow to eat.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

No, I am not talking about hair with the increased humidity in the area.  I am talking about Utah's New Firework laws.


The Good
-Two holidays in July in the state of Utah to use fireworks
-Ability to watch everyone else fireworks for free over the valley
-Maybe next year I should sell fireworks for extra money
-So pretty and awesome
-Create your own show of awesomeness.

The Bad
-Listening to fireworks at all hours of the night for two nights in July
-Increased activity at hospitals and urgent cares
-Lack of clean up
-Improper use, I think they should be licences or permits like they do for driving, hunting, etc...

The Ugly
-Listening to fireworks a week before and a week after the two holidays.
-Finding a bottle rocket in my backyard
-Fear of my house burning down because my neighbors won't use a large parking lot instead.
-The veterans of my neighbor are having flashbacks.
-Forest fires-Where is Smokey the Bear when you need him?

Seriously

Alright, apparently somebody in driver's education is teaching that is perfectly OK to turn left while someone is turning right (as if they have the right of way.)  Guess what, it is not!  If we were in England, it would be correct because they do things opposite, like driving.  The person is who is turning right has the right of way, not the person turning left.  (the person doesn't have a green arrow either.) 

I am just saying-STOP IT!  Cars turning right don't wait for the car turning left, not safe either.  honk, do something, take the rules of the road.

P.S.-I would also like to ask the people that really only car (turning left) is supposed to go through a yellow/red light.  NOT THREE OR FOUR!

I would like to live to see another day!

Done 

More pictures of the summer

Kids hanging on Temple Square with their Aunt.

We jumped for joy for the temple.

Super cute!

The new toy!

G-dog was in charge of hanging the new toy.

Cleaning the yard.

Pictures from the past few weeks

First produce from my garden

80's day at school

Niece holding the newest niece

Nephew addicted to my i-touch.

Loving my nieces and nephews. Missing many of them and waiting for them to come and visit.

Summer Retreat

So I flew back to Utah with my east coast niece and nephew, we arrived at my house (they had never seen), the firsty thing they said was "It looks like a summer retreat!" 

That made my day.  I am a summer retreat for all Bartholomew grandkids.  Cho-Cho cousin camp starts this week.

Breaking the fun barrier!

I  broke the fun barrier while watching the rodeo at Strawberry days with my sister Sherrie & family and friends Stephanie and Danielle.  At least, that is what the announcer told me.  It was great to see my old friend Olin Hannum in the rodeo.  He pulled a great time in the steer wrestling.   

Habla Espanol?

As you may know, I teach a variety of diverse students and this year I have been trying to working on learning some basic Spanish.  My progress has staled.  Luckily for me, one of my ESL classes are asked to learn the basics of another language so that we may understand how students feel when they are learning a second language.  Progress is back on.  We are able to speak with a native spanish speaker to practice our skills. Today, the teacher remembered my lack of skills and pronounication during my "practice" session.  I found that I like to mix German vocabulary with Spanish words and don't forget to add a southern accent.     

I win!

After spending some time at the local Riverfest, I decided to work in the yard.  My neighborhood has a yearly pickup of junk/big stuff. So my sister, niece, and I decided we could prune a few things.  Here is the result.  My pick up pile is quite large.

REAL Salt Lake (soccer)

Not real but RE-AL.

I was able to attend REAL Salt Lake game last night.  They played against the Seattle Sounders, which is hilarious because the first and last MLS game I went to was in Seattle to watch the Sounders.  Seattle is known for the rain and of course it rained during the game.  It made the game night more memorable.  I loved the fan sections that constantly beat the drums and danced.  Thanks Tuckers for taking me. 

Our seats were only four rows away from the edge, so close.  It reminded me of the NC State football game in Raleigh.

Four

Four day weekend
Four days left of school
I am number four of my family
Finally saw "I am number four"-the book is better
Four days left of May
Four years in Utah
Fourth month in my new home
Four extra hours of sleep last night
Four books blogged about
Four new ideas for my house

Look Sisters!...I decorated!

I spent time with my mom this week and we decorated!  We hunted, we shopped, I painted, then she nailed and hung. 
Total cost: $25.00 (including paint and supplies)

This is what you get when you watch too much T.V. (thanks HGTV)

Very Retro!

You know you are a homeowner, when

-you clean out your gutters.
-plant real plants or a garden.
-learn the inner workings of a swamp cooler.
-love walking around the home and garden sections in the store.
-upset when you missed yard sales.
-learn the names of plants.
-when you see a neighbor, go outside and talk with them.
-get frustrated when some neighbors don't mow their lawn (for three weeks)
-borrow a lawn mower to mow your lawn.
-hate dandielions.
-borrow a ladder from neighbor to clean gutters.
-love going to hardware stores for ideas.
-wave at cars who drive by in the neighborhood.
-get frustrated when a plant is dying and you don't know why.
-realize lawn mowers and vaccums are super expensive.
-try to keep up the 80 year old neighbor whose yard is amazing and your is medium amazing.
-enjoy sitting in the backyard or front porch
-exciting to shop at antique stores or IKEA.