Reflection...

I am just pondering tonight...and reflecting on accomplishments. In the past 9 years--I will have graduated and walked across a stage 3 times (I hope I really finish this masters--2 classes left in July!).

This weekend I will be walking for the 3rd time--my mom wanted me to do it--she said, "It's not everyday you get your masters degree." My mom is very proud of me. She is my biggest fan, along with my dad. They have created this educationally motivated person that I am! And--I am glad they instilled in me a desire to learn and continue learning.

I am so lucky to have great parents who have been my support and strength through this rigorous program. And some great friends like Bryant, James, Linda, Grant, Von, Laren and some of the ladies I work with. They have encouraged me and kept me going...

Mostly--I am lucky God has made all this possible. I never imagined I would accomplish this much in my lifetime--and here I am at 27 with all this under my belt!

I wonder what I'll do next! Only God knows... :)

Me, Whitney, and Janeen at our BYU-I Graduation in Dec. 2004

(I was so young...that's what my students said when they saw this picture this year...ha!)

Photo of the Week!

While I was out walking, I saw this! Spring is definitely here! It made me think of that primary song--popcorn popping...

Enjoy!

My Favorite Place

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

My friend Tiffany and I went for a walk through my favorite place today. We went to the Salt Lake City Cemetery! I love this cemetery because they say it's haunted--but I think it's peaceful. Anyone who really knows me knows I have a love and respect for the dead and I love to ponder in these places.

Here's some of the great men who were buried here:

The "Old Timers" Group

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

There is a special group of people in the Draper, UT area who have been here for quite a while--and they are apparently called the "Old Timers" (their name is in the process of change, I believe.). Somehow--I've been around long enough that I was invited to be in this group. It's a group for those of us who were a part of the Riverview 7th Ward before the split. Those of you who were a part of that remember. So--here's some pictures.

I love that Bishop Tait uses a Mac! And that Doug is smiling. These guys were looking at power cars...

Here's the girls and Adam sitting and talking about love and stuff...

Henry playing with his phone.

Kristen looking like she is hitting Roque.

Anthony and me

Roque and Kristen

It was fun to be with a my old friends! I hadn't seen them for a while!

I love Hockey!

Tonight I had this desire to go to the hockey game! Fortunately, Bryant was nice enough to go along with me! We had a great time...here's some pics...

Bryant and I in our 5th row seats--right behind the penalty box! It was a good deal for the seats too, and we had plenty of entertainment from our neighbors around us...

The Grizz Goalie...he was amazing!
Every hockey game should have its good fight--these two were the cause of the fight tonight--they got two others penalized as well!
The Grizz after they won 3-2 in overtime! It was a close game!

Hockey is a fun sport! We had a good time watching the mascot as well--he was funny. He came in the penalty box right beneath where we were sitting and made us laugh a lot. Here's some footage of that too!

Hair Change

I planned to cut my hair today--but I'll be honest--this day was an impulse day. I hadn't planned to do as much change as I came out of the salon with--but in all--I love it! I came out with a swoop bang and said goodbye to the longer length! It was nice to get rid of it!

I am so glad I have good friends who have been willing to work with my thick crazy hair. So many people have taken good care of me--and I'm glad Jessica was willing to take the time to thin and trim and cut me today. I love it!

Thanks Jess! If anyone needs a good hairstylist, I would love to refer her to you!

Here's a pic of it!

The Water Festival! (Songkran!)

Monday, April 13, 2009
It was the Thai New Year! In Thailand, they celebrate by throwing water on each other -- not just a little water either, but a ton!

To celebrate the new year, Angie and I went to eat Thai food with some friends because it is part of my cultural heritage and Angie served in Thailand so it's part of her too! I love Thai food!

Here, once again is some pics of the food! I am turning into my mom!

My food--yom neau! It was spicy!

Angie's food--the Laab. It wasn't as good at this restaurant.

The satay and peanut sauce. Yummy appetizer

The Egg Party

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

I decided to throw an Easter Egg decorating party! We had so much fun dying and tie dying eggs! Here's some of the pics from that fun event.

Linda was the expert tie dyer!

James concentrating on his egg...

My robin blue egg--I forgive you Linda for eating it!

Rachel and her tie dye egg!

Angie and her personalized egg!

Brook and her patriotic egg!

The tie dye egg area...mine was the purple one--I didn't quite get the hang of tie dye... :(

James blowing out the yolk from his special egg...

The special egg--it ended up being a sad egg ...

The finished products! I love Easter eggs!

My egg!

Baby cows make me happy!

I was driving back from Idaho today and saw calves with the cows! A true sign of spring! Yay! And there were a lot of trees blossoming out there in the world! And birds were all around!

Plus--I hit a ton of bugs on the drive--ick--with spring and summer and fall come those poor fellas that lose their lives!

Spring is truly here--time to wash the winter grime off my car soon I hope--although I did hear another forecast for fun weather this week! Gotta love Utah!

We flew a kite yesterday up in Idaho! It's always windy in Blackfoot--but--here's my sister and her boyfriend Lyle flying it and my mom and dad and I standing around...

Photo of the Week!

I was in Idaho this weekend and this train happened to whiz by me...so I snapped a picture. It was pretty neat how it turned out!


Gotta love the late night train!

Chase's Goodbye Party

Sunday, March 29, 2009

I know this one is a little late in being posted---but I've been busy! I have to make a special post for my friend Chase though--he's leaving Utah to move back home to Florida to go for his dreams of joining the Air Force! So--we had a goodbye party for him.

Those of you that know about Chase and I know that we have a history--we dated, but we are still good friends. He is one of my closest friends I have and I respect him for being able to continue being my friend!

So--since he's leaving, we had a goodbye party for him and some of our friends at my house. I tried to take pictures, but I forgot--I was busy getting that box ready and such...so I missed out on part of the party. I felt bad--but no worries--Chase took pictures to make me smile. So, I will share some of them with you all!

Chase

Everyone that was left at the end...


Tyler Guerts--one of our amazing friends!

I think I mostly learned to not leave my camera unattended in Chase's hands...

Chase, good luck in your endeavors. You have always told me how important these things are that you are doing--I want you to know that I am still always going to be your biggest fan and support next to your mom (and when you find her, your wife!). Thanks for being there for me through the years too! You are going to be great! I hope to see you fly that F-22 someday.

Photo of the Week!

I went to Idaho this weekend and was reminded of an important experience in my life--


A few years ago, I had the opportunity to attend this beautiful building and have a life changing experience.

After listening to General Conference this weekend, I realized how important this building is. I loved that the temple was a key part to many of the talks. I realized today too, that our knowledge of the temple varies on our own experiences and what we have tried to learn. I was watching my little sister and her roommate listen to these talks and seeing how excited they were whenever a talk about the temple came up--they made the conclusion that the temple was in everything. And it is!

I realized from the talks how much power it has! And I think we all need to do what we can to learn more about it, go regularly, and make it a part of our lives. It gives us power! And we all need that power in today's world!

Idaho Falls Temple is my temple--I have loved it since I was a kid. I'm grateful I have had the chance to go there!

Glitter Toes!

To celebrate that my box is gone, my friend Jessica and I planned to get glitter toes. I had no idea what glitter toes were before I went, but I am hooked!

Glitter toes is like getting a pedicure, only not really. Instead of getting your toes painted with polish, you use glitter and gel. Then, they go under U-V light three times to harden. Then, viola, you have glitter toes. I went with a subtle pink, but they have every color you can imagine and you can be bold or not so bold...

I went with a subtle pink this time, but next time I think I want blue jeans...it's a shiny blue!

The glitter toes are supposed to last about 4 or 5 weeks. The way you take them off is with a nail file. And in all--it cost only $25. The lady that did them for me said they also stop ingrown toenails...imagine that!

I am hooked! I love the sparkliness to them! I will probably go back in a while...

If anyone is interested, let me know! I'll get you her info--she's in Draper!

It's Gone!

I mailed my box today--and I am not sad at all...I am actually rather happy about it.

The finished product...all the entries in their envelopes...

So now--next week is the test, and then we wait...for a long time, til maybe December.

I was so tired when I finally took it to the post office today. I never want to do this again. I will tell you this much though--I learned a lot.

This was an I just rolled out of bed and finished typing moment...It feels so good to be done!

I will share one portion of my final reflection though and that is all:
Through the National Boards process, I have found myself as a teacher. Many teachers I know told me I was crazy to even apply for it, but I feel that this experience has been one of the most empowering experiences I have gone through. It has allowed me to think about what I am doing as a teacher and if I am making the difference I set out to do as a young college graduate four years ago. It has shown me I am on my way and I need to keep seeking ways to share what I have learned with others, motivating others to love life long learning.