Home for the Holidays

I love the holiday season...so much joy in the air, so much to look forward too. Every year I come home for Christmas to spend it with my family. We don't really do anything super exciting, we just hang out with each other. The only bad part about me coming home for the holidays is I have a dream of having a white Christmas, but as long as I come south, it is not going to happen. We had our version of a white Christmas this year, a wet Christmas. I woke up to a complete down pour, it rained for hours and hours. We had puddles of water in the back yard, so that is the southern version of a White Christmas. It is nice to just relax and enjoy spending time with family. It seems like everyone is always in a rush during Christmas, but I like to just take things easy and enjoy the time I have. So here I am relaxing....I hope everyone else had as good as a Christmas as I did.

The last two weeks

Here are some fun events of the last two weeks in my life....

• Got floor seats to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional
  
• Go to a friends concert on Temple Square

• Driving to school in a blizzard


• Almost getting run over by a snow plow


• Waking up to it being 5 degrees and the high being 22 degrees


• Getting a free concert Monday morning from my schools best choir


• Being excited that it was 35 degrees and not wearing a jacket


• Go to several high school basketball games- with us winning them all including against our rival, Murray
  
• Getting out of work early on my last day before Christmas Vacation

That Time of Year Again

It is Rivalry Week again in Utah, aka Holy War Week. Living in Salt Lake I take a bunch of choice words for being a BYU fan and not a Utah fan, but that is what makes it so much fun. Their are two of us "BYU fans" in my hall way and we decided to strike first this year and we decorated our doors early before any of the Utah doors could go up. This year it wasn't as much fun because they play the Saturday after Thanksgiving so we could trash talk all the way up to Friday, but it was still pretty fun. This year I decided to go old school with my door and I put up a more traditional logo. I'm sorry to brag, but I think it looks pretty amazing even if I have to say so myself. Actually I had all kinds of people say my door liked nice, even Utah fans. The teacher next to me was not happy that my door looked so nice, because he felt like his had to compete with mine. His turned out pretty nice as well, he went with the white door to match mine. In the past two years that we have done this I have discovered some main differences between BYU and Utah fans. The main one is that Utah fans are often mean....maybe it is because I'm Utah country, but they are constantly making fun of not only BYU, but also BYU fans. Another difference is that Utah fans are always trying to "prove" they are better. I never push BYU on anyone, if someone is wearing a Utah shirt I don't feel the need to walk by and say "Utah Sucks," but you have no idea how many times that happens to me. I have gotten it daily for the last two weeks, but I expected that because of my door. This happens though any time of the year, if someone sees me wearing something BYU they feel like it is there right to insult me for being a fan. This is one of many reasons why I like to go down to visit my sister in Utah County, so I can not be insulted for being a BYU fan. I know sometimes I bring it on myself, and I understand that I'm living right next the University of Utah, but grow up people. I have had several other BYU fans tell me the same thing so I'm not the only person. Some other teachers instead of decorating there door put signs up all over the school, so I go a TA to design me a really cool sign. I then got the only SBO to put it in the main hallway behind glass, in a place that he only has access to. Oh well I got to have some fun at work right?

Two Years Ago

It was two years ago today that my life changed...I found out that I had a teaching job in Utah. I was in the process of student teaching and was debating what I was going to do once I was finished in December, do I stay in Utah or do I go back home and look for a job? I was lucky to get two interviews for jobs while I was student teaching, but I didn't think it went too well, so I had already written them off. Then on November 9, 2007 while I was teaching P.E. I got two phone calls. I listened to the first message in between classes and it was Taylorsville saying they wanted to hire me, I think I stopped breathing for a few minutes. I was totally shocked, I didn't think I was going to get the job. Then a few minutes later Granite High called to tell me that I didn't get their part-time job. I didn't care because I already had a full time job. And looking back it was a great choice, even if I got the job at Granite it was only part-time and that high school closed down at the end of last year. So I would be looking for another job right now most likely. I haven't met anyone else that had a job fall into their lap like this one did. So I guess I'm suppose to be here, I'm not sure why, but it has been a great experience!

Just Plain Ugly

I don't even understand how this girl only got a yellow card in this game. I don't think I have ever seen someone play this dirty!!!!

I Love Lunch

This is my new favorite thing online is "Improv Everywhere." This is a group that plans out public scenes. This is their newest "mission" where they sing a song about how great lunch is.

The Princess is Sleeping

I think this is one of the best commercials the church has made in awhile. It actually won some awards recently. I remember being little and having a very active imagination, anything was possible.

Some Days

Some days I love my life, my job, everything...but others I'm forced to make adult decisions. Anyone that knows me, knows that I 100% hate making decisions, and I've got some big ones coming up. You could say that I have a kind of Peter Pan complex, I never wanted to completely grow up. I liked being just young enough that you can force other people to make decisions for me and then if it went wrong then I wasn't to blame. I don't have that option any more and I miss it. I wish others could tell me what to do, but I guess I'm finally old enough that I can't. This has been a rough year for me for several reasons and I would like to end it on a high note. I like a quote I have read recently "unless life gives you sugar along with your lemons, your lemonade is going to suck," well I'm looking for my sugar in my life right now.

I have enjoyed having some free time after school again. It was really weird yesterday when I got home before 10:00 on a Friday. It is good for me to be busy, but I really don't like to be swamped like I was for the last two months. I'm going to take a few weeks to relax, then I will have to get back to work on something. I don't know what yet, but hopefully it will involve moving.

Bitter Sweet

Well the season is over in soccer...and it is bitter sweet. We played really well against Brighton in the playoffs, but we just didn't have the man power to stay with them the entire 80 minutes. If it was a 60 minute game I think we could have surprised them, but oh well. The girls were very happy with how they played and so was I. I don't know what to do now that I actually have some free time, I'm so used to running around, I can't wait to actually go home after school gets out and just relax. I guess now I need to focus on finding a condo to buy...but that is a whole other story.

Playoff Time...

For the first time in ten years, Taylorsville girls soccer has made the playoffs!!! I have taken great pride in the team, they have showed some real heart this season. We have faced many challenges (i.e. a captain quiting, broken arm, and red cards), but we figured it out to make the playoffs. We got a tough draw, we play the #3 team in the state, and the state runner-up last year, but it is actually a good thing. We are playing Brighton High School, they were in our region last year and we actually played them closer than anyone else in that region. We kinda know what to expect so we could prepare for them a little easier than if it was a team we haven't really ever seen. Playoffs can be magical, we just need one win for this girls to be taken seriously, I just hope they aren't just happy to be at the party. We need to be the life of the party, which will require us to play the game of our lives, but it is possible. Our game is 4:00 tomorrow, wish us luck.....

What happened to fall?

This is now my third fall in Utah, and I have to say where did it go? Yesterday it was 90 degrees and windy, today the high was maybe 47 degrees. It is like we skipped from summer to winter in 12 hours. I just don't understand how that is possible. Fall is my favorite season, and I seem to always get robbed of a long fall. This afternoon we had a soccer game and it started to SNOW!!!! It didn't stick and it only lasted for a few minutes, but come on, last day of September and snow. I was freezing, I was not quite prepared for the low 40s and high 30 degree temperature that we were playing in. I felt so bad for my team, but they stuck it out and got a huge win for us today. We are one game away for qualifying for the state playoffs for the first time in many, many years.

Region Victory

Taylorsville was stuck in the hardest region in the state for soccer last year, two teams from our region played for the state championship. We were lucky that when they changed the regions, the soccer schedule became much easier. We still have to play some really great teams, but not the top two teams in the state. Our team has had some adversities, to say the least, and we haven't played up to our potential yet. Finally yesterday we played really well and won 4-2, I'm hoping that they became a team and build on this win. Taylorsville hasn't won a region game in at least four years, so it was a big win for them.

Don't forgot those who survived

When something tragic happens, we often forget to think about those that survive, and always remember those that didn't. I'm no different, I think I can honestly say I have never truly given much thought to those that survived the attacks on 9/11, and what there life must be like. I would have massive guilt, I know I would. This video really made me think about those that survived and made it out of the buildings on that September day.




None of us are going to forget what happened on that day, but we do need to learn from it. My students were in third grade in 2001, they didn't have a clue of what was going on. I had just walked out of 11th grade English class, when a friend walked up to ask me if I knew what was going on. By the time I walked into my next class, the first tower had just collapsed. Heck, I was in high school, and I didn't completely understand what was going on, but I never want to forget.

Excuse me while I rant for a minute

I have never really considered myself a democrat or really all that liberal (I'm more down the middle) but right now I am so confused at all the mess the Republicans are making with President Obama's speech to school children. If you haven't heard Obama is going to give a speech next Tuesday to the children of the country, doesn't seem like a big deal at all to me, but everyone is freaking out. Maybe it is because I live in one of the most conservative states in the union, but it is just a speech, CALM DOWN!!!! Each school district is trying to figure out how to handle the situation, we have to send a letter home to the parents letting them know we are going to show the speech, but some districts are not even showing it. I just don't understand this, we were encouraged to show President Obama's inauguration, but now we have to get parent permission to show an address given by the President intended for the students. When did we start censoring the President of the United States? This is the first time (I think) that the President has specifically addressed the children parents don't want the children to watch it. I don't agree with everything Obama has done, but he is the President and I'm going to watch it. I can sort of understand not wanting elementary school students to watch it, but really they aren't going to have much of a clue what is going on, so who cares.

School Spirit Help

For whatever reason my school struggles to have school spirit, which is something I just don't understand. I grew up with Orange and Blue running in my veins before I knew anything about high school. My goal is to increase the school spirit at my school now. Taylorsville is a great school, and yes we struggle in some sports, but they also don't have the support they need. I want there to be a crazy student section that never sits down and is always cheering, no matter what the score is. This is going to be a big project, but I'm willing to slowly work on it. I think I'm going to be the advisor to the "Superfan Club", which is basically the school spirit club and I need suggestions on what we could do. The school sells these cool Superfan shirts that a lot of students have, but I want more than just students wearing the same shirt. So if any of you guys have any great ideas for cheers, activities, or really anything, PLEASE let me know. I want these students to have as much pride in Taylorsville, that I have in Richland Northeast.

First Week of School

The summer was fun, but like all good things, it had to end. It is a good thing for school to start, it is nice to have things to do again. It would be nice if I wasn't soooooo busy this week. Life is always crazy the first week of school, but anyone involved in a fall sport, then it is insane. Here is a replay of my "wonderful" week:

Monday: Up at 5:45 am- at school by 7:00, school until 2:10. After school I had soccer practice until 4:45, then I got to drive home in crazy 5:00 traffic. I didn't go to FHE, due to the fact my feet hurt and they were going on a hike.

Tuesday: After school we ran out to catch a bus to take the soccer team to our game in Salem Hills, which is outside of Spanish Fork (hour on the bus). We played our games, varsity lost, but J.V. came from behind to win. We pulled up to the school at 9:00 pm.

Wednesday: Basically the same a Monday, just a regular 10 hour day.

Thursday: Our second game that was a good distance away. After rushing out to catch the bus, we find that our bus was not there. Finally 15 minutes later the bus pulled up and we had a 45 minute drive ahead of us to Stansbury. Varsity won 5-4 and J.V. won 2-1, but both teams suffered some rather key injuries, which will hurt us next week. We got back a little earlier this time around 8:30, but I had to wait for all the girls to get picked up. So I had my second 15 hour day in one week.

Friday: Since we have so many injuries we cancelled practice, it was so nice to be able to go home after school. I did go to the football game at night with my roommate, Alexandra...and we lost 55-0 to Brighton.

Saturday: Up at 6:45 (after waking up at 5:45) got ready and went to our Stake Activity, a Fun Run. I'll be hones, I only went because I helped plan it, you guys know that I'm not a runner at all. We had a 5K and 1 mile walk. I was standing at the turn around point at the 1 mile walk....so much fun.

Week Two of Soccer

This week we had two more games (that makes four BEFORE schools starts), and the were pretty opposite. Tuesday we played Grantsville, which is a smaller more country school. It became pretty clear very quickly that we run up the school almost as high as we wanted to. So the varsity team played the first half and the J.V. team played the second half, the final score was 12-0. I really had games like this, it doesn't matter which side I'm on, I hate winning and losing by a blow out. Then the next day we played a much tougher team and it was hard to get everyone moving again. West scored on us early and late (after some key injuries) and we lost 0-2. We played fairly well in the middle of the game, so we will take that as a positive thing that came out of the game. J.V. didn't do as well and they lost 0-5, but they played hard.

Note to self

If you want to get sick, I've come up with the perfect formula for you:

• Don't eat breakfast
• Go on a hike
• Get car sick on the way down the canyon

If you do these three things there is an 85% chance that you will be sick or your stomach will just be really mad at you. Then if you need to extend your sick time a few more hours there is one final step:

• Eat something dumb for dinner (like a hamburger for example), this will make your stomach mad at you all over again.

This worked wonders for me, I thought I would be nice and share my wonderful knowledge with the rest of you.

Taylorsville vs Hunter

Thankfully game two went much better than our first game. We started the game off fast with an early goal off an deflection and from there we never looked back. Varsity ended up winning 4-1, for the last ten minutes we were able to get some J.V. players in the game, to give them a chance to play varsity. I am super proud of the J.V. team, they played really hard against Maple Mountain, but nothing could bounce there way. We finally broke our goose egg and scored THREE goals. This is amazing since we didn't score any down in our eight games in St. George or our first game of the season. I'm hoping this will help there confidence and maybe we might get a lucky bounce here and there.

Taylorsville vs. Maple Mountain

Well the 2009 soccer season has officially started, yesterday we played Maple Mountain High School down in Spanish Fork. Maple Mountain High is a brand new high school opening up this year and I was very impressed with there team. The varsity lost to Maple Mountain 3-2 and JV lost 3-0, but the story was the wind. The wind is always stronger down in Spanish Fork than it is up in Taylorsville, but we had wind gusts up in the 40-50 mph range. It is really hard to play a game outside in wind like that. In fact the wind picked up a tent we had and blow it up and over a fence. Sadly in the process of blowing away one of our girls was hit in the head. She had a small cut, but head wounds bleed a lot. Eventually we had to wrap stuff around her head to keep a bandage on, she looked funny, but it worked. I wish we could have started the year off with a win, but I think it was growing experience for us. We have our second game this afternoon vs. Hunter High School. Wish us luck....

10 Years Already

I had one of the wow, I'm getting old moments today. I know I'm not old yet, but when you have those 10 year anniversary were you remember exactly where you were 10 years ago it makes you think. 10 years ago today was the day when the tornado hit downtown Salt Lake City. I was living on the other side of the country and thinking that I would never live in Utah. Thinking back I was a freshman in high school talking to my geography teacher about it. I can't believe it was ten years ago when I started high school, my life is going by so fast. Some times it seems like my life is flying by with nothing to show for it. Then I wake up and get on with my life.

End of the Summer

My favorite time of year is quickly ending...I'm looking forward to another year of teaching, but I enjoy sleeping in and staying up late. This summer was way more fun than last year, I have made some good friends and we hang out and do stuff all the time. They are not going to be happy when school starts and I won't have any kind of social life. Here are some of the highlights of my summer:

• California Vacation- It was fun hanging out with Susan and getting to see Rob and his family. I loved all the cool animals I got to see at Sea World and the Zoo.
• Moving- although moving is not a fun experience, both of my roommates were getting married so it was vitally important for me to move. Now I live closer to some of my friends, which means I'm more likely to be social.
• Baby Shower in Rexburg- I went up to Kari's baby shower in Rexburg. It was weird, I haven't been in Rexburg since I left in 2007. I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do, but I got to see my old Bishopric and see some college friends again.
• Lagoon- For those of you not familiar with Utah, Lagoon is a "Theme Park" or so they say. I describe it as an over priced state fair. I go once a year, when they give out stake discounted prices. I went with three friends and we had a blast, we made fun of some of less exciting rides and came up with some awesome inside jokes.
• MLS All Star Game- Real Salt Lake has a new stadium and they got to host the All Star game this year, they played Everton FC. It was a great game, in went to a shoot out and Everton ended up winning, but I loved every second of it.

Soccer has already started, that is how I know school is really about to start. This year looks like it is going to be a good year for the Taylorsville Girls soccer team. We actually had enough girls tryout that we had to make cuts, that is the first time in a long time that this program had to make cuts. Our first games are coming up this week, it should be exciting.

#1....Again

For the 12th year in a row Brigham Young University has won the "Stone-Cold Sober Schools" award from Princeton Review. Every year Princeton review does surveys to figure out which schools are the biggest party schools in the country (2008 - University of Florida 2009- Penn State). After they list all the schools in order the last school gets the "Stone-Cold Sober" Award. Congrats BYU, for being #1 in something!!!!

Spanish Fork Rodeo

Last week I went to my very first Rodeo. I have never really been a rodeo fan, but it seem like fun. Plus I got to go free, due to the fact that my brother-in-law hurt his leg and could no longer go. We had pretty good seats, on row four, so I got to see some action up close. Some riders got pushed into the fence right in front of us, it looked pretty painful, I'm glad it wasn't me.

Me and John hanging out outside the stadium before the Rodeo began. I can't believe how big he is getting, but we are still best friends.

This was my favorite horse of the night for a couple of reasons...first, I have always liked the horses that were both brown and white. I don't know why but they have always been my favorite. Second....This was a "Dodge Man", basically the cowboys that go and save the riders if they stay on for the eight seconds, then they herd the horse/bull to leave the arena. At one point they were trying to get control of a bull and this horse freaked out and bucked the cowboy off. Then the next bull the horse bucked again, but the cowboy was able to stay on, it was pretty cool.

Before everything started we walked over to where they were holding the bulls, they were pretty calm and nice. John and Sierra would get a little worried when they started walking around. I have definitely never been that close to a bull, they are big animals.

Today in History

40 Years ago today: The United States landed on the moon!!! This is one of the few things that I really wished I was alive to see. By the time I was born we had given up on going back to the moon. I think everyone as a dream of going into space at one point in there life and I'm no different.

I really don't understand how some people believe that the moon landings were fake. I think this is a really cool day in history.

It's up and it's good

Ever since I was little when I would go with my brother to practice kicking field goals, I have always wanted to kick a field goal. It looks so easy to watch kickers do it and when they miss it I think "how could they miss it, it was so close?" I've spent enough time on a football field to know that a 30 yard field goal is not just a kick in the bucket. Tonight a group of friends got together to play some football. Before the game started I kicked a 20 yard field goal, pretty easily. Then I moved back to 25 yards and then I kept coming up a few feet short. We moved on and played the game, it was getting dark the game was tied, we can't end in a tie right? So one of the guys said, "if Becca kicks a 25 yard field goal they her team wins, if she misses we win." I tried to get him to switch to a 20 yard field goal instead, so we settled in the middle with a 22.5 yard field goal. It was a perfect kick right down the middle with plenty of leg. I moved back to 25 yards and same thing, a perfect kick. I didn't want to press my luck, but next time I want to try a 30 yard field goal. Everyone seemed impressed, I was excited and and it felt really good.

I can die happy now...

I got to complete one of my dreams on July 5th. I'm kinda a weird person, and for as long as I can remember I have wanted to sing "God Save the King/Queen" at church around the 4th of July. I thought it would be super ironic and cool, most people just look at me and laugh when I tell them this. But every now and then I get the one person that sees the irony and understands why it would be so funny. Well the day after the 4th was a Sunday and in Relief Society we sang "God Save the King" for our opening hymn. I was soooooo happy, I even used it as my good news for the week. I was slightly disappointed because everyone said "King" instead of "Queen", but I guess I will live, it was still a great moment.

Soccer Camp

After getting home from vacation, I had exactly four days home before I left for soccer camp. I was struggling to be excited about going to camp because it was in St. George. Now for those of you not familiar with Utah's geography, St. George is the south west part of the state---so right next to Nevada and Arizona (so really hot). We left school at 7:00 in the morning for the four and a half hour drive down to camp. After we get all checked in to our hotel and get our schedule we get ready for our first game. We had to play at 6:15 the first day and game time temp. was some where between 105-110 degrees. We had girls just dying after just a couple minutes of running around on the field. The rest of the week was not that hot, thank goodness, but most of the time it was above 100 degrees. In five days, we played 16 shortened games, but the girls were just exhausted by Friday. When I got home 95 degrees felt really nice, so I guess that is one thing to be thankful for and the fact that I survived the whole week....

Animals

While in San Diego we were able to see some unique animals that you don't often get to see. Some of the highlights were seeing pandas and manatees.

The San Diego Zoo is one of two zoos in America that have Panda bears, the other being in D.C. It is unique to go see the pandas because you have to be really quite and there are no other animals anywhere close to them. One of the pandas was asleep, but the other one was eating away on some bamboo.

At Sea World they have manatees, I tried to get pictures of the real animals but the pictures wouldn't come out. Two out of the three had been injured by boats, but it was really cool to finally get to see these beautiful creatures in person.

I've been busy

The last three weeks have been very busy for me. After school got out I relaxed for a couple of days, but that is all I got, I had to start moving. I really hate moving, I wish there was some easier way to get things moved from one place to the other. I only moved about five or six miles so that made it a little easier. I was able to move most of the stuff in my car, then I got some guys from my ward to help move the big stuff. I got to sleep in my new place one night before I left on vacation to San Diego. So I set up my bed and that was it, everything else was still boxed up to deal with later.

My vacation started off with my flight getting delayed for four hours!!!! They had to fix a part in the plane, which I'm glad they did, but it seems like it shouldn't have taken so long. I finally got on the my 9:40 flight around 2:15 and was off to California. I met Susan in San Diego and we had a blast, went to Sea World, the Zoo, went up to visit Rob, and some other fun stuff. It is fun to just sit back and not think about you life back home for a week.

So now I get to be home for four days before I have to leave for St. George and a soccer camp for my high school team. I'm worried about going to St. George in the summer, it should be super hot, and I'll be outside for a week. Wish me luck.....

I have gotten most of my room unpacked now, but I've still got some work and not much time to do it in. I feel like this summer is going by super fast because I'm so busy, but I don't want the summer to go by fast.

Free at Last

Today was the last day of school, well if you want to call today school. The last day of school is refund day, it takes about two hours then students are released. Then that gives teachers some more time to get everything done they need to before leaving for the summer. I had to work graduation this year since I got out of it last year. It was an interesting experience there were 505 graduates, so the reading of names took F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!!! I spent a lot of time this week thinking about my senior year and my high school experience and my school now does things very differently, but it is still cool. I have had some students ask me what is the point of walking at graduation; I have always thought of the graduation ceremony as some kind of right of passage. I regret not being able to walk for college, but I will always remember my high school graduation.

At the end of every school year since my first semester in college when I'm all done with everything a Tom Petty song plays in my head. For a good 24 hours I will be singing to myself the great chorus of "I'm free, free fallin.'' I don't know why it is always that song, but it is and it has kind of become a theme song for the summers of my life.

I also had a birthday this week, I turned 24. It was sad, I was more excited for the end of school then my birthday. I honestly couldn't name one thing that I wanted for my birthday, I think that was a first in my life. I normally want something, but don't want to ask for anything, this year I was just happy for the school year to end. I can't believe I have been teaching for a year and a half already, time flies by when your having fun, right?

One Week to Go

The light at the end of the tunnel is only one week away now. There is only five days left of school and three days of class left, I can't wait. I have had a good second year of teaching, but it is time for a break. I'm one of those crazy teachers that never misses a day. I was able to make my goal of perfect attendance this year, my co-workers think that I'm crazy. My dad is a great example of work ethic, he taught me to go to work every day if at all possible. Once school gets out I won't get too much rest. I'm going to have a very busy month...I will be moving just about as soon as school gets out. (I have the great pleasure of having both of my getting married in June) I have about 10 days to move everything and then I will be going on vacation with my sister to San Diego. I figure I'm not going to want to worry about moving my stuff right as I get back from vacation. It is going to be a good thing that I'm not just sitting around doing nothing when school gets out, but I don't know if I want to be super busy either.

I can see clearly now....

The ULCER is GONE!!!! A month later I'm finally am back to normal. Well as normal as I can be. I got to wear my contacts for the first time in about a month and it felt soooooo good. I don't mind wearing glasses, just not every day. I like to think I lead a some what active life and glasses just get in the way, which is why I love contacts. This was kind of an expensive ordeal, but it could have been much worse and I'm glad to have it behind me.

Eye Update

So my eye is doing much better these days, I went back to the doctor and he said that ulcer is getting much smaller. I was happy to hear that, but it is not gone yet. Then he gave me another eye drop prescription to use on top of the antibiotic eye drops that I'm already using. The hard part is that I still can't wear my contacts until the eye doctor approves. I go back to the doctor on Wednesday, so hopefully I won't have to wear glasses too much longer. I don't mind wearing glasses a couple times a week, but it has been a month now and they are getting on my nerves.

I've Seen Better Days

So I have had a rough couple of weeks. About two weeks ago my left eye started acting strange, including being blood shot and being very sensitive to light, I thought it was some king of allergy. After two weeks of it not going away some of my friends finally convinced me to go to the doctor, where I found out that I have a Corneal Ulcer. I never knew you could get an ulcer in your eye. So Thursday night when I went to the doctor and he put me on antibiotic eye drops that had to be used every two hours until (even in the middle of the night) the ophthalmologist tells me otherwise. I set my alarm to go off every two hours and I didn't do a whole lot of sleeping that night. Friday I went to an ophthalmologist and he confirmed the ulcer, he said it was a pretty bad one, not a severe one, but bad. Then he upped my eye drop dosage to every hour, but I don't have to do it at night now. Then he told me their was a bunch of junk on my eye that was preventing the eye drops from getting to the ulcer and he had to scrap it off my eye. That was an interesting experience to say the least, especially sense he told me it was going to cause my eye to hurt really bad for the next six hours or so. And let me tell you it did hurt, not all the time, but every now and then I would have some severe shooting pain in my eye that would fade after a few minutes. I survived the day and came home and took a nap, since I didn't get much sleep the night before. Last night I went to the movies with some friends and my eye is so sensitive to light that whenever it was a bright scene in the movie I had to close my eyes. I can't wait to have this behind me.

Temple Square in the Spring

I honestly think that one of the most beautiful places in the world during the spring is Temple Square (when construction isn't all over the place like it is now). I don't know how they do it, but Temple Square always has some of the most beautiful flowers. These were in the flower beds along the side of the Tabernacle. I had a meeting in the Tabernacle Saturday morning and I decided to walk around and enjoy the beauty.

This was part of a large flower bed outside the North Visitors Center, they just make me smile.

I haven't gone up to see this statue in several years, as soon as you come into the room you can feel the spirit. I love the statue and the artwork of the sky, I think I could stare at the sky for hours and be happy. But in all it was a really great morning hanging out on Temple Square.

Treat Your Mother Right

Happy Mother's Day!!! I hope one day I can be just like my mother, she has always been a great example to me. So mom--- I love you the most! From coast to coast, from east to west, I love you the best!

Am I in London or Utah?

I saw history today, the Queen's Own Guard (the guys that escort the Queen of England and Bunkingham Palace) was in Utah, and performed for my school. The team is in America because they are a soccer team and they are traveling around the world between training, playing other military soccer teams. They beat the Utah National Guard 10-0 and 8-1 this week. They had some extra time and the National Guard suggested they come to our school because we have a good ROTC program. I heard that they never perform like this is it was really a special treat for us. After the performed a variation of the changing of the guard , they relaxed and allowed us to take to them and take pictures with them. They always look so serious, so it was amazing to get to see them in a relaxed situation. I don't think the students realized how cool this was, but it was for sure a highlight of the school year for me.

I will be honest, I wanted to get a picture with this guy because he was by far the cutest members of the Queen's Own Guard.

I can't believe they let me try on the hat!!!! I couldn't see a thing, the fur came down over my eyes, but it was awesome.

I tried to blend in and fall into rank. I think I look a little out of place. But that guy has a sweet jacket.

I felt bad for these guys, everyone wanted to take pictures with the guys in the fancy uniforms. These guys were really cool, they were looking for the cheerleaders, then they realized how young they were and decided that might not be a good thing.

They performed a variation of the changing of the guard for my school.

Attack of the Swine

Students all over the country are freaking out about the Swine Flu. I guess they have a reason to be worried, I once read that you are exposed to more viruses in a school than any other place you could work. Park City closed schools for a few days due to Swine Flue.... I would like the day off, but I don't want to make up those days in June. My school district has now installed hand sanitizer in every classroom in the district and now janitors have to sanitize the doorknobs of all the classrooms at least once a day. I'm glad they are making an effort, but I would like to point out that 1,500 people die each year from the REGULAR flu and nobody freaks out that. A few people die of the Swine Flu and all of a sudden people are walking around with masks on their faces, or you have Egypt that killed every pig in the entire country, over 350,000, over the fear that they could spread this flu. I do think it is serious, but blowing it out of proportion is not helping the situation, so everyone just wash your hands more often and maybe avoid large crowds of people and RELAX!!!!!

Sad Day

I have had really nothing exciting going on in my life recently, besides both of my roommates getting engaged. So I'm surrounded by people who can talk about nothing besides getting married, which is not the greatest thing in the world when you are no where close to getting married yourself.

At school there is a new teacher that just had a baby and their were all kinds of complications with the birth. The baby had to be taken to another hospital and kept on life support. Today we found out that the baby passed away. This young family was a week away from insurance kicking in, and because she is so new she is not getting paid while she is gone. The school has been trying to raise money for the hospital bills which are going to enormous and now they have to worry about burying their first child. I always feel bad for people who have these trials in life, even though I don't know this lady, it seems more personal. I am trying to come up with incentives for my students to donate some money. If you have any ideas please let me know. I have been really impressed with my school taking it upon them self to help out a fellow teacher in these are times.

Easter Message

Earth Hour 2009

Although I'm not a huge believer in global warming, I think this is a great idea. I some what participated last year and I can't wait for it this year. I find myself thinking quite often, "what can I do to improve the world?" This is something easy that can make a difference, even if you are only thinking about your electric bill. This is a great chance to do something fun and help the world at the same time, I'm going to try and get people to play night games during Earth Hour. They have been really talking it up at my school this week, trying to spread the information to as many people as possible. So I thought I should continue spreading the word...Saturday turn off your lights from 8:30-9:30 pm local time and enjoy. More information is available at http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php. You will surprised how much fun it can be.

End of the Quarter Rush

Thursday, March 26 is the end of the third quarter for us at school. I love and hate the end of a quarter-- it is always a stressful time for what we call the "end of the quarter rush." Students all of a sudden start to truly care about their grades and start begging. You always have a few students that try and do the entire quarters work in one week; then of course promise me that next quarter they will do their work the first time. Then you have the students that have an A- and beg for extra credit so they can get an A. Or my personal favorites, the students that have a 98% and want extra credit so they can get a 100%. I'll be honest, I was one of those students- the one trying to get the higher A, not the one doing all the work in one week. It is interesting seeing it from the teacher's point of view now, and how much extra work it gives me. The good news is Friday is a teacher work day, so we can get our grades done. Best part of that is that I get to sleep in some, I figure their is no point going in at 7:00 in the morning just to grade papers. It also means that it is almost a safe time to start and count down the number of school days until summer.

Friday the 13th

Here are five of Friday-the-13th facts:
1. Fear of Friday the 13th - one of the most popular myths is science- is called paraskavedekatriaphobia as well as friggatriskaidekaphobia. Triskaidekaphobia is fear of the number 13.
2. Many hospitals have no room 13, while some tall buildings skip the 13th floor and some airline terminals omit Gate 13.
3. President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month and would never host 13 guests at a meal. Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover were also triskaidekaphobic, with an abnormal fear of the number 13.
4. Mark Twain once was the 13th guest at a dinner party. A friend warned him not to go. "It was bad luck," Twain later told the friend. "They only had food for 12." Superstitious diners in Paris can hire a quatorzieme, or professional 14th guest.
5. The number 13 suffers from its position after 12, according to numerologists who consider the latter to be a complete number - 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 days of Christmas and 12 eggs in a dozen.

A Wii bit of fun

The last few weeks I have been using my Wii much more than I had been. I was a little worried for awhile that I wasn't using my Wii enough to warrant me buying it. I decided that I needed to buy a Wii Fit, that way I could play games and exercise at the same time. The Wii Fit is really hard to find in stores, so I gave up and I bought one off Amazon. It was finally deliverd on Friday, so I at once opened it up and started playing it. I have pretty much have been playing it off and on all day today as well. I know myself enough to know that I'm not going to go to the gym or go for a run, I have never been about to keep a work out schedule. With the Wii Fit I want to exercise, I want to play, most of the games you don't realize you are working out until later when your legs feel the after effects.

Nike v Adidas

My brother and I have always had a fun rivalry between us-- which one is better Nike or Adidas? I'm an Adidas girl, so obviously he is a Nike fan. Rob recently posted a Nike video on his blog so I thought I might return the favor.

I have to admit though, Nike does have some of the best commercials around.

Happy Presidents Day!!!

In honor of this glorious day off of school we must celebrate our great Presidents. I thought a fun American History Pop Quiz would help everyone get in the mood to party.

1. What country did we fight during the Revolutionary War?
2. Who is the Father of the country?
3. What is the Bill of Rights?
4. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
5. Who is the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
6. Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner?
7. How many stripes are there in the flag?
8. What year was the Constitution written?
9. Who has the power to declare war?
10. What is the most important right granted to U.S. citizens?

If you can answer these, without cheating, then congrats you might be able to pass the U.S. citizenship test.

(answers: England, George Washington, first ten admendments, John G. Roberts, Thomas Jefferson, Francis Scott Key, 13, 1787, Congress, the right to vote)

Stake Calling....Are you crazy?

So about a month ago I got a very scary phone call. It was Sunday morning and my phone rang and some guy started talking and said he was the stake executive secretary. I just about peed in my pants when he said that and then he asked if I could meet with a member of the stake presidency. I had no clue what calling they could possibly be giving a single girl in a family stake. Turns out I got a calling that totally fit me; I'm a stake sports specialist. Which maybe sounds cool at first but really I am a score keeper at stake sports events. So right now the Elder's basketball league is going on, so I spend my Thursday nights watching grown men complaining about the refs. It would be really fun, but it is 6:00-10:00 every Thursday. I really hate that last game, I try to be in bed by 10:00 and now I don't get home until like 10:20, it really throws off my sleeping schedule. Good thing it is on Thursdays and I only have one more day left of the week.

Recently I have really wanted to play some basketball, so I'm really hoping they have a women's league this year. Last year we had a "pick up" league. If you want to play show up and play a pick up game. I don't do that, playing on a team that doesn't really know you at all is not my ideal of fun. Plus the chances of me getting hurt goes up like 100%.

Sometimes Life Just Sucks

After the year starting off so well, my life did a complete 180 last Sunday. I had thought my life was going in one direction and then it all of a sudden is now going in a very very different and lonely direction. This has been a very hard week for me, I have found myself not being about to control my tears randomly through out the day. Even today a week later I am still crying about it. Everyone has been really nice to me, but really their is nothing anyone can do to help. The situation just sucks and it is going to take me a while to get over it. Lets just say I went from being the happiest I had been is about six years to the saddest I have been in a long time in a matter of days. I don't know why this happened to me, it seems really cruel--but I guess I'm suppose to learn something from this, I just don't know yet.

One year down, 29 more to go

Tuesday will mark my one year anniversary in teaching. I cannot believe that I have already been teaching for a year. Well I do and I don't, I feel much more comfortable in front of a class and I don't stress out about teaching as much, but the year has gone by so fast. I look at student teachers and how worried and scared they look and I feel so much more experienced they them. Even though many of them are older than me, but this year had been a great learning experience for me. It is true, you never stop learning, especially as a teacher. You have to at least pretend that you know what you are talking about or your students will eat you alive. Today at lunch we some how were discussing when we all finished high school, I knew I was the youngest, but everyone was amazed that I am only 23 and was the class of '03. I take great pride that I started my career at 22, it is not an easy thing to do, well at least not for the people in my department. I'm hoping the first year of teaching is the hardest, so I can have that behind me. But I have heard that the second might be even harder, so lets just hope that is not from everyone. It is really scary to think that I have 29 years of work ahead of me, I don't even know what 29 years feels like, but I hope they are fun and I can continue to laugh at life, and my students.

Happy New Year

Wow, where did 2008 go? It seems like it wasn't that long ago that I was stressing out over starting my career and struggling to get my feet under me. All of a sudden it is a year later and like always I am a year older and hopefully a year wiser. If nothing else I don't stressed out nearly as much about school, I kind of just let things go with the flow. I can't believe that in two weeks I will have been teaching for one year. I guess that means I have one down and 29 more to go right? Teaching has its advantages, as my dad puts it, what other career do you get a three month vacation in the summer and two weeks in the winter? The problem is going to be when I go back to school on Monday. I have enjoyed sleeping in and staying up late. So getting up early is going to kill me on Monday, but oh well, I've got to go back.

I really enjoyed Christmas with Mom and Dad in Texas this year. It was so weird not being home for Christmas, but we did what we could to make it nice. Me and Susan got each other a lot of presents so it wouldn't look so sad, but we had a nice little Christmas. This was also the first Christmas in a long time without any grand kids running around and waking us up early on Christmas morning. Even though things were much quieter, I have to say that I missed the kids.

Well even though 2008 was a big year for me, I am hoping that 2009 is even better! I has already started off great.