Trip #4--The Trust Trip

December 30, 2010

In honor of my friend Jason getting snowshoes this week--we went on a trip. Since he will be out of town this weekend, we decided we would go night snowshoeing and try them out. Lucky for us, Salt Lake has been getting dumped on the last 24 hours with a lot of snow. So--Jason decided we should try snowshoeing Corner Canyon.

I was skeptical. I have only hiked Corner Canyon a few times. And not in the snow. I wasn't sure there would be enough snow and I wasn't sure if the mountain lions would be sleeping. I'd heard scary stories about Corner Canyon. But--Jason promised he'd take care of me. So--I decided to trust him.

It ended up being quite a funny night. We were hiking along and all the sudden, the terrain became familiar to me of not being where he said we were going to end up. So--we realized somewhere we had made a wrong turn. We ended up going down through some houses and walking back on the streets. It was quite the adventure. But--I had decided to trust Jason, so I did. And it ended up being a lot of fun.

I am very glad I decided to trust him tonight--it made our adventure more exciting.

Jason with his new snowshoes and head lamp and beanie.
I think I picked out all these items for him. I think I have good taste!

The Corner Canyon area in Draper--it was beautiful. I'm glad he picked it!

I had been wanting to make a snow angel all winter. I finally did it!

It was pretty cold though--it might not have been the best decision I have ever made.

The view of Draper from Corner Canyon. I love that the camera picked up the snow.

Jason, my tour guide.

I may look innocent enough in this picture, but...little do you know--I am prepared for any tragedy. On my body is an avalanche beacon, in my bag is a shovel, a probe, and some band aids. Band aids fix everything that could hurt--according to my students.

One of my favorite features of the Corner Canyon area. The Draper Temple. I love this building.

This was after we'd realized we made a wrong turn. There was this nice hill into a neighborhood, so we decided to sled down. Jason was first, so he made a nice run for me to follow.

Jason and me.
You wouldn't know it, but we were freezing. It was really cold and windy that night.

I'm glad I trusted him to take care of me tonight. I made it home and had a great time. I love the snow!

A Gift of Time

December 25, 2010

This year I decided that for Christmas I would give my friends all a gift of time. I feel that time is one of the most important gifts we have. So, I handed out coupons with that on it.
For one of my gifts of time, my friend Jason and I decided to make some Thai food because he loves it. We made some larb and drunken noodles. He helped, and this was the final product.



I think my goal of learning Thai dishes is paying off! I'm getting better! Jason mixed the larb and I made the noodles. I'm pretty impressed with how it turned out.

Doughnut Falls--Snowshoe Trip #3

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Today my friend Jason and I went snowshoeing. We both have been recovering from colds, so we decided to take it easy. We went to one of my favorite places--Doughnut Falls. While we were out hiking, there was a beautiful snowfall that started, so I got soaked! But--I got some great photos to share!

Jason led the way.

How many feet would you guess that is?

Some pictures of the snow

This trail hadn't been too used...it was fresh powder.

I am a total snowshoe nerd. Here I am in my beacon, carrying my snow shovel. I am prepared for anything!

These are my favorite trees.

It was so peaceful out there.

This area was so peaceful and undisturbed, until...

Jason had us do some action photos.

Jason and me

The clouds that caused the fresh snowfall.

Another shot of the clouds--and a dead tree.

I love the way the snow frosts the evergreen trees.

The Annual Tradition

December 10, 2010

Every year, I have an annual tradition of going to Lava Hot Springs with some friends and soaking in the fun. This year, my friends Bridger, Kimi and Devin came with me. We went up Friday night and soaked, then stayed at my parents house.
The next morning--we decided to do something I've always wanted to do. We went snowshoeing at Craters of the Moon. I had always wanted to do that--it was a bucket list activity. And now I can say I've done it.

Kimi by the sign of Craters of the Moon

Putting our snowshoes on

Bridger decided to make a snow angel

This picture sums up the story of my life...

Me with the beautiful background

Walking down the trail

Bridger, Devin, me, and Kimi.

Me by one of my most favorite places on earth

My parents took us to the Thai House and Pete made us some delicious food.

And it is all because of these two people that I exist and am who I am.

I have the best parents in the world. I am grateful for them and raising me to be the lady I am. They have been the best examples and friends I could have ever wanted.

It was a great start to my birthday weekend. My annual rendezvous to Lava :)

The First Snow Shoe Trip of the Season

December 3, 2010

So, I decided I forgot how to take fun pictures. I lost my camera a couple months ago--and so I have been without one. But, I got a new one for my birthday--and tonight we decided it was time to hit the snow. So--Bryant and I went out with some friends.

Bryant and his date Kara

Some tracks we found in the snow

A skull we found in the snow...

Me after I fell in the snow...my clumsiness...

I totally forgot to get a group photo of everyone that went though. It was only five of us--me, Bryant, Kara, Clark, and Brandon. But--in all--I enjoyed myself--I forgot how therapeutic the snow is for me. Happy winter!

Decorating the Tree

December 1, 2010

This year was different for decorating the tree. Since both of my sisters are now married, I had the opportunity to decorate the tree with just my parents and myself. My family has started a tradition of where we collect a new ornament every year that my mother purchases. And the goal was someday when we had our own families, we could take our ornaments and put them on our own tree.

Well--someone still doesn't have a family! But--it's okay because it was fun to spend the time with my mom and dad and hang the ornaments on our tree at home.

Then, when I got back to Utah, I had the chance to decorate my own tree here. This is my tree--it has been the same for the past several years. It might be time for me to get some new decorations for it, but for now, it will do.

I love Christmas. Let the celebrating begin! Welcome December!

What is a drift?

November 28, 2010

As I was getting ready to leave my parents house--I walked out the door and this is what I saw. A lovely drift. It was up to my mid calf--the top of my boots!



Gotta love living in the country with winds and snow :)

At least it made for fun driving!

Amy Merritt, NBCT

November 19, 2010



I did it! Today was the day that the National Boards program released the information about passing--and this is what my sign in screen showed! I was more relieved than anything--I felt this happy rush of peace come over me--because I had finally accomplished it. It took me two years to do--and now I can rest--for at least 10 years.

What is National Boards you might ask? It was A LOT of work. More work than my master's degree. It involved four 10+ page written entries--which included #1--analyzing my student's writing and how I teach writing, #2--creating a classroom community (and a video tape of me teaching), #3--integrating math and science (and another video tape of me teaching), and #4--documentation of my teaching accomplishments. Then--on top of that--it included taking six areas of teaching and answering scenario questions and rational for why I would create the lessons I would.

All these things are taken and graded--to pass you need a score of 275. My first year through, I only had a score of 243. I was 32 points off. Typically on the first time through, only 30% of teachers pass. So...since it cost a good $2,500 (which I earned scholarships for) to do the first time around, I figured since I only had three years to accomplish it in, I might as well go for round two. My district mentors had great foresight and advised me to retake 3 of my lower scoring entries--which ended up being two entries and one essay question. Each retake was $350--which the district helped to cover two of.

I worked hard all of last fall from November until April to accomplish these three tasks. And my hard work finally paid off. I scored 283 points this time!

What does it mean to have this? The National Board Certification gives me mobility--this license is recognized in most of the states. In some states, an extra pay stipend is given to teachers who have earned this honor. In the state of Utah, it moves me from a level 2 teaching license to a level 3 (which only can be obtained by a Doctorate or Board Certification.).

It is quite an honor to have earned. And I am so thankful I don't have to do year three--or I may have cried on top of what I am doing.

So--now I can officially write the certified teacher initials at the end of my name: Amy Merritt, NBCT

Adventures in Cooking

Happy Halloween! During the month of October I found I have come back in touch with domestic Amy. I used to cook a lot--but I haven't been much of a cook lately. So--one of my personal goals recently has been to work more on cooking and learning to make more food from my mom. So--this post is all about FOOD :)
My friend Jill and I decided this month to have a Witches' Tea Party. We decided to make food and have a good time as Witches.

Here's some photos from the tea party:I also designed the invitations for our tea party--another one for the crafty Amy!

Jill and me in our witch costumes, which I designed my own hat too...what is happening to me!

Target had these cute little cupcake tins--and I couldn't walk past them.
So I made "Boo Brownies"

This one is a family recipe for haystacks, but I cutesied them up with mini candy corn pumpkins.

In all, we had about 25 girls show up with treats and witches outfits to our party. It was a success! Jill and I are currently planning another tea party for January--details to come later.

Today, my roommate and I decided to test my Thai cooking skills. Mindy and I worked together to creat Pad Kee Mao--my favorite Thai dish. A few months ago, my friend Larry and I set a goal that I would take advantage of the fact that my mother is an amazing cook and that I would learn how to make more Thai dishes from her monthly. So--I have been attempting to do so. This month, I learned how to make Drunken Noodles. Here are pictures from my first attempt.

It was delicious! And I usually am my worst critic! But--I actually thought I did a good job.

So--here's to October! I feel like I accomplished a lot!

What do you say?

I really don't know that anyone reads my blog or cares, but I just needed to write about this somewhere.

So I spent this weekend with my parents. I love them so much and they always give me the escape from my life that I seem to need--and this weekend--I just needed a mental one.

But--this weekend, my parents told me they have been working on writing their will with Uncle Joe and that they would like to ask me to be the executor of the will. What do you say to your parents when they put a trust of something like that on you? Granted...being the oldest sibling comes with responsibility. But...when I think of this happening--it makes me sad.

You see...I love my parents and I don't want them to leave me. They are all I have. And that is more important to me than things...

I am grateful to help them out with this. But--this change is not welcome at all. I hope it does not come for a while...

My Amazing Mother

October 15, 2010

I am awake late at night--and I have not written for a long time--so I decided to let my mind go.

The month of October is an important month to me. I love the fall and the celebrations of reaping in the harvest. As I was spending time today--the thought crossed me about how October is also the month we honor Breast Cancer Awareness. I have many women in my life who have been affected by breast cancer and they have been amazing examples to me of perseverance and hope. But--there is one woman who has made a major impact on my life.

About four years ago my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I remember how shocked I was at the idea of this happening to me. I could not believe how unfortunate this situation was. I love my mom and this was just unthinkable.

But--fortunately for us, her cancer was found at a stage 0--meaning that she was not that bad. I was so grateful that she was going to be okay. I remember driving her to her radiation treatments as they took care of her. I enjoyed the time I was able to spend with her then--and the chance I had to serve her and be there. I am so lucky to have this amazing lady in my life.


Mom--I love you. I am so glad you are there for me and an example to me in my life of what a woman should be. Thank you for being there for me.

My Library Angel

Friday, September 3, 2010

Sister Hepworth works in the library at BYU-Idaho. She was my angel when I was there. She always had a treat for me and she was always smiling and happy. She had some difficult things that went on in her life and she always stayed positive.

I happened to see her this weekend when I was in Rexburg. She has just recently been diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer. She has recently undergone chemo and is still smiling. I love this lady.

We had the chance to talk though and she reminded me of how not in control over life we are. It is in the Lord's hands and we have to trust his timing in our lives. She mentioned how she was prepared for anything at this point, but obviously Heavenly Father has a plan to keep her here longer.

I for one am grateful He has. She was an angel in my life this weekend to remind me of how precious life really is. Thank you Sister Hepworth!