Friday, June 26, 2009
I went to a Sundance concert tonight and these guys were good. My favorite guy was the harmonica guy (his name is Jellyroll Johnson).
Here's a clip of one of their songs. It is hilarious!
12 years ago
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Some me time...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
So--I needed some me time today to relax and focus on things in my life that matter...so I decided to go to a place I haven't been for a while. I hit South Mountain and got up to the Flight Park. I have this obsession for watching things in the sky...I don't know where it came from. Maybe it's because I'm my grandpa's granddaughter...he used to build space shuttles and was involved with the air force.
I had to get away from things in my life yesterday though, so I went up there and ate some dinner from U Food Grill (yum!) and then just watched as people flew and took apart their kites.
One thing I came out of it thinking is we are truly blessed to have a God that loves us enough to let us go for our dreams and to make the most of ourselves. It made me ponder--am I going for mine?
Just something to think about...
So--I needed some me time today to relax and focus on things in my life that matter...so I decided to go to a place I haven't been for a while. I hit South Mountain and got up to the Flight Park. I have this obsession for watching things in the sky...I don't know where it came from. Maybe it's because I'm my grandpa's granddaughter...he used to build space shuttles and was involved with the air force.
I had to get away from things in my life yesterday though, so I went up there and ate some dinner from U Food Grill (yum!) and then just watched as people flew and took apart their kites.
One thing I came out of it thinking is we are truly blessed to have a God that loves us enough to let us go for our dreams and to make the most of ourselves. It made me ponder--am I going for mine?
Just something to think about...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hiking with Amanda!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
My cousin Amanda from New York has been in town! I was so excited when she and her husband Tyson invited me to go hiking with them. I love hiking!
We went up Millcreek Canyon and found a fun trail that went up--and up--and up. I probably complained a lot, but I really enjoyed the burning sensation in my thighs and calves! Seriously--it was great!
Yay for wildflowers! My favorite! I love them all!
And yay for my favorite tree! I love the quaking aspens!
It was so green here!
This tree was growing out of the rock--I'm sure there are some spiritual implications that can be made from this setting...like having your foundation on the rock...
Me
Owen, Amanda's son enjoying nature
Amanda's first hot dog she cooked over a fire! I had to take a picture so we can document it in history!
We had to take pictures with the sign--I think we just ended up looking silly, not super powered...but it was fun!
My cousin Amanda from New York has been in town! I was so excited when she and her husband Tyson invited me to go hiking with them. I love hiking!
We went up Millcreek Canyon and found a fun trail that went up--and up--and up. I probably complained a lot, but I really enjoyed the burning sensation in my thighs and calves! Seriously--it was great!
Yay for wildflowers! My favorite! I love them all!
And yay for my favorite tree! I love the quaking aspens!
It was so green here!
This tree was growing out of the rock--I'm sure there are some spiritual implications that can be made from this setting...like having your foundation on the rock...
Me
Owen, Amanda's son enjoying nature
Amanda's first hot dog she cooked over a fire! I had to take a picture so we can document it in history!
We had to take pictures with the sign--I think we just ended up looking silly, not super powered...but it was fun!
The Race for the Cure...because cancer never sleeps...
Friday, June 19, 2009
I went to Idaho and my family was participating in the race for the cure--an all night to next morning walk for cancer. My family has been hit with cancer at different points in different people. The biggest hit was about 4 years ago when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately it was a stage 0, but through this I've learned a lot about taking care of my body and checking myself for cancer.
I went to Idaho and my family was participating in the race for the cure--an all night to next morning walk for cancer. My family has been hit with cancer at different points in different people. The biggest hit was about 4 years ago when my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Fortunately it was a stage 0, but through this I've learned a lot about taking care of my body and checking myself for cancer.
Bags my mom decorated for people we knew who have had cancer or died from it.
My cute little mom (next year we decided not to put the bags next to the garbage can...)
My family--Dad, Kim, Mom, and me (Melissa was off with her fiance...)FloRIDA!
June 12-June 18
As soon as the bell rang on June 12 for the end of the year--I was outta there and heading to the airport to catch my flight to Orlando! I stayed with some good friends of mine out there, the Toronto family! And they took such good care of me and let me get what I needed...relaxation...
Here's some pics from my trip!
Chase drug me out to Daytona Beach with the YSA in his area to a Regional activity. It was fun! It wasn't until after the beach that I learned about the shark issue at that beach...probably a good thing...I hate sharks!
Chase driving everyone in the mini van.
The storm that made us leave the beach...it was a monster front--
the temperatures dropped quickly!
New friends! Me with Emma and Marchello
Another new friend! Myriam and me!
And yet another new friend! Bryce! I was already friends with Chase...you can see how wet we got walking from the car into Chipotle. It was downpouring on us!
Suzy took me to the Orlando Temple! It is one of my favorite ones!
I love how beautiful it is on the inside!
Another new friend! I love Desy--she has spunk and is fun!
The best friend of all--Lucy! She went swimming with me every day!
The pool I swam in everyday! I love swimming--I could love living in Orlando if I had a pool (or I guess anywhere for that matter...wait...I do have a pool...)
As soon as the bell rang on June 12 for the end of the year--I was outta there and heading to the airport to catch my flight to Orlando! I stayed with some good friends of mine out there, the Toronto family! And they took such good care of me and let me get what I needed...relaxation...
Here's some pics from my trip!
Chase drug me out to Daytona Beach with the YSA in his area to a Regional activity. It was fun! It wasn't until after the beach that I learned about the shark issue at that beach...probably a good thing...I hate sharks!
Chase driving everyone in the mini van.
The storm that made us leave the beach...it was a monster front--the temperatures dropped quickly!
New friends! Me with Emma and Marchello
Another new friend! Myriam and me!
And yet another new friend! Bryce! I was already friends with Chase...you can see how wet we got walking from the car into Chipotle. It was downpouring on us!
Suzy took me to the Orlando Temple! It is one of my favorite ones!I love how beautiful it is on the inside!
Another new friend! I love Desy--she has spunk and is fun!
The best friend of all--Lucy! She went swimming with me every day!
The pool I swam in everyday! I love swimming--I could love living in Orlando if I had a pool (or I guess anywhere for that matter...wait...I do have a pool...)All in all--it was just what the doctor ordered...a week of relaxation...and time to unwind from my stressful year. I was sad that NASA's shuttle launch got scrubbed both times...but I enjoyed my visit nonetheless! It was great! Thanks Suzy for letting me come! I hope I can come back someday!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
I'm behind but need to vent!
Hey all in the world out there--so my blogging is behind...but I have something to get off my chest--and so here it goes on here....once again where a journal may be a good investment...
So--I have been pondering for the past week about my job. I don't like it. I will be honest--I am not excited about it at all. I love teaching--don't get me wrong and I think what I'm doing is worthwhile. I just feel like my job right now is tough. Granted--I'm grateful to have a job in this time of economic stress...but the way it is working right now literally scares me.
I am afraid I will lose my sanity this year. And that is all I have to say on that...
This school year, I have a pay freeze on my salary. That means all my hard work on a masters means nothing. My insurance benefits will likely go up as well. So--I'm in more debt than I realized because the thought originally was to pay off student loans as fast as I can with the extra money I should be making. So much for that idea. It doesn't pay in my Utah district to get a Masters. Good thing I didn't do it for the money.
Secondly--I will be starting off the year with 26 first grade students. I love first graders, don't get me wrong. But 26 is horrible. And after hearing about some of the health things involved with some of my students, I don't understand how the state of Utah thinks it is good for teachers to have 26 six- year-olds in a room and have one young woman supervise them and teach them. It is INSANE! I barely survived my class of 21 last year.
Thirdly--I am team leader--I don't know if I am cut out to be a leader...I'm a little worried about the added responsibility.
That is that. I got it out of me. And my goal is to not speak of this concern on here again...
I wish Utah took better care of their teachers. They are about to lose another great teacher I'm afraid...I am really ready to check my options...
So--I have been pondering for the past week about my job. I don't like it. I will be honest--I am not excited about it at all. I love teaching--don't get me wrong and I think what I'm doing is worthwhile. I just feel like my job right now is tough. Granted--I'm grateful to have a job in this time of economic stress...but the way it is working right now literally scares me.
I am afraid I will lose my sanity this year. And that is all I have to say on that...
This school year, I have a pay freeze on my salary. That means all my hard work on a masters means nothing. My insurance benefits will likely go up as well. So--I'm in more debt than I realized because the thought originally was to pay off student loans as fast as I can with the extra money I should be making. So much for that idea. It doesn't pay in my Utah district to get a Masters. Good thing I didn't do it for the money.
Secondly--I will be starting off the year with 26 first grade students. I love first graders, don't get me wrong. But 26 is horrible. And after hearing about some of the health things involved with some of my students, I don't understand how the state of Utah thinks it is good for teachers to have 26 six- year-olds in a room and have one young woman supervise them and teach them. It is INSANE! I barely survived my class of 21 last year.
Thirdly--I am team leader--I don't know if I am cut out to be a leader...I'm a little worried about the added responsibility.
That is that. I got it out of me. And my goal is to not speak of this concern on here again...
I wish Utah took better care of their teachers. They are about to lose another great teacher I'm afraid...I am really ready to check my options...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
REAL with David Archuleta!
June 6, 2009
We went to the REAL Soccer game tonight and watched everyone leave as a winner (or loser) because the game ended in a tie. But--lucky for us--we also got a concert with David Archuletta! It was fun!
The Air Force Parachuters--they all carried a special flag!
Henry and I
It was Jon's first game!
The teams! There were some hot guys out there...
Bryant, Courtney, and Me
Courtney and I were so excited to see David!
Believe it or not--that little spot is David!
Courtney was good at obeying David's words--"Reach out to you, touch my hand!"
Some live footage I think...we'll see which one loaded...
We went to the REAL Soccer game tonight and watched everyone leave as a winner (or loser) because the game ended in a tie. But--lucky for us--we also got a concert with David Archuletta! It was fun!
The Air Force Parachuters--they all carried a special flag!
Henry and I
It was Jon's first game!
The teams! There were some hot guys out there...
Bryant, Courtney, and Me
Courtney and I were so excited to see David!
Believe it or not--that little spot is David!
Courtney was good at obeying David's words--"Reach out to you, touch my hand!"The Hill Air Force Air Show
June 7, 2009
I love air shows! I was able to convince Henry, Anthony, and Johnny to go with me to Hill to watch the air planes! We had a great time watching them--and we made it just in time for my mustang!
Here's some photos from the fun day!
Me with my lunch!
A few planes--the KC 130, a couple others, and the F-22
My air show buddies--Henry, Anthony, and Johnny
The F-22 right after it landed.
Johnny and I in the cargo plane
All of us in the cargo plane
Me with an A-10 (I think) from Idaho!
Me with my mustang!
Every air show I've been to (all 4 of them) has had one of these!
This was Anthony's first show. He was sad to leave before the Thunderbirds...
J/k...really it was on our way home and he was pretty much asleep--he woke right as it took the picture...but I thought the first story was better. It really was his first air show!
I love air shows! I was able to convince Henry, Anthony, and Johnny to go with me to Hill to watch the air planes! We had a great time watching them--and we made it just in time for my mustang!
Here's some photos from the fun day!
Me with my lunch!
A few planes--the KC 130, a couple others, and the F-22
My air show buddies--Henry, Anthony, and Johnny
The F-22 right after it landed.
Johnny and I in the cargo plane
All of us in the cargo plane
Me with an A-10 (I think) from Idaho!
Me with my mustang!
Every air show I've been to (all 4 of them) has had one of these!
This was Anthony's first show. He was sad to leave before the Thunderbirds...J/k...really it was on our way home and he was pretty much asleep--he woke right as it took the picture...but I thought the first story was better. It really was his first air show!
Thanks guys or sharing this day with me! It was fun!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
1st Camping Trip of '09
Friday, June 5, 2009
Linda, Eric, and I went on my first camping trip of the year. We decided spontaneously to go up to Butterfield Canyon by my new house and go camping. We grabbed Eric's 2 man tent, some sleeping bags, an ax, some pots and pans, and some snacks and we headed out.
We had a blast! It was so relaxing and fun. And all three of us in the tent kept the heat in and we were warm. I think that was the best I've ever slept camping in my life!
Thanks Eric and Linda for a fun evening!
Eric building our fire.
The two man tent...
The fire...
Me roasting some marshmallows.
Eric cooking our pasta.
Linda lighting the cooking and eating some bread.
Me waiting patiently with my fork...
Eric eating the s'more I made him.
Our feast!
Linda, Eric, and I went on my first camping trip of the year. We decided spontaneously to go up to Butterfield Canyon by my new house and go camping. We grabbed Eric's 2 man tent, some sleeping bags, an ax, some pots and pans, and some snacks and we headed out.
We had a blast! It was so relaxing and fun. And all three of us in the tent kept the heat in and we were warm. I think that was the best I've ever slept camping in my life!
Thanks Eric and Linda for a fun evening!
Eric building our fire.
The two man tent...
The fire...
Me roasting some marshmallows.
Eric cooking our pasta.
Linda lighting the cooking and eating some bread.
Me waiting patiently with my fork...
Eric eating the s'more I made him.
Our feast!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)