4 Years

I was in high school for four years. I was in college for four years. I taught at Barnett Elementary for four years.  Four years seems to be my time range until big changes happen and I have to say a lot of good byes to people.

During these last four years that I've been a teacher at Barnett, I got married

I taught fifth grade for two years and third grade for two years, my nephew was born, I lived in Washington DC for a summer












Cody graduated from BYU


I cooked my first turkey, I got pregnant twice, I lived in three different apartments, I've been to California three times and Michigan twice, I've grown out my hair twice and cut it shorter twice, I started work on my Masters in Education (and should finish it soon), I was in a car accident, two of my great-grandmas died, my grandpa passed away,












I gave birth to Calvin, I took two months of maternity leave,  and now...

now I leave for a new adventure in Maryland.

I'm really going to miss all of my friends at Barnett and the students that I taught.  However, thank goodness for Facebook and email so we can keep in contact.

I can't believe it's here. The beginning of the end of our time in Provo.

When Plans Change

I'm not one for plans changing. In fact, I hate to change. I know that it's part of being human to resist change to a certain degree, that's why there's usually a messy transition period when feelings are changing from the old normal to the new normal. I cry and try to assimilate, but it is so hard. And then after some time, I adjust.

These past few months plans have changed and I think I'm on the other side of the transition period where I have successfully (for the most part) adjusted to the new normal.

In the old normal this was the plan for the next few months:

• Cody would have applied for grad schools and we would be finding out where he got accepted about now
• I would be preparing to leave Barnett Elementary at the end of this school year
• We would be getting ready to move across the country, most likely

In this new normal, this is the plan:

• Cody will take the GRE again this summer and apply to grad schools in the fall
• I've applied to the SUU M.Ed program that they're doing with my school district and will be finding out in the next month if I've been accepted
• We're moving to a different apartment within our complex and still in our ward at the end of July
• Getting ready to be at Barnett Elementary in third grade for another year

Some of the positive side effects are:

• I'm settling into my classroom at school more. I've been thinking even more seriously about the environment that I've had so far this year and what I'd like to change for the rest of this year and the changes I'd like to make to my classroom for next year.
• I'm having my parents ship out my bike so that I can ride it around all spring, summer, and fall
• I'm not freaking out anymore by the changes because enough time has passed since November when we started making these decisions

Running

You know how everyone has that one thing that they do that just makes them feel better?  Mine isn't running because I don't always feel better after doing it. However, there are times when it is just the thing to help lift my spirits.

I woke up in a pretty lousy mood today, for multiple reasons, not the least of which was that I had to wake up at 5:38 to use the bathroom--only an hour before my alarm went off--and it was soooo hard to go back to sleep again.  However, while I tried to put that mood off all day at school, though not the most successfully at times, I'll admit, it just got worse on my ride home from school.

I called my mom and she helped me talk things out. And then of course talking with Cody helped me to feel a little better and get rid of some of my negative feelings. But what cinched the deal between my head, my heart, and my emotions was going for a run.

After changing into my running clothes, I started out with a destination in mind to help my legs prepare for the Rex Lee run next Saturday.  After reaching it, instead of doing an out-and-back, I ran a little bit further than I was planning on and when I got home I felt so much better (I'm pretty sure Downton Abbey helped too).  There's nothing like feeling your muscles working, breathing hard, and just feeling alive to help boost your spirit.

During a Scout Campout

What do I do during a Scout campout?

1. Start a new book
2. Clean my house
3. Take a bath in my newly cleaned tub
4. Give myself a pedicure
5. Make a video of my students' Sharing Day today
6. Write an article for my school's website about Sharing Day
7. Email students' parents
8. Almost start working on taxes but then realize I don't know what my husband's "occupation" is now that he isn't a student anymore...mine is easy: Teacher.
9. Read in bed until I go to sleep (probably 9:45 so I can pretend that I'm getting extra sleep before waking up at 6:40 on a Saturday for orchestra)
10. Try to get warm in bed

Tomorrow's adventures include orchestra practice, working on school stuff, going to see La Jetee at International Cinema, and then hoping Cody gets back (and cleaned up) in time to go to the Museum of Art at BYU to see the Sacred Gifts exhibit.

Three to four years in five minutes

After driving around in the snow this morning and discovering that the place (where I thought for sure I would find a small gift for Cody) didn't have it, I came home and began procrastination rituals.  What am I procrastinating?  Cleaning my house (because we didn't do that Saturday; instead we saw the Desolation of Smaug), grading, planning for school, class roles for Primary, working on Janeen's potatoes for dinner, and possibly making a buche de Noel (but I'm hoping to do that tonight with Cody).

During my successful procrastination, I listened to The Nutcracker, ate a banana and a candy sled, and made name tags for all the children in Primary.  Then I decided I would look up some information on the Internet which inevitably makes me sad. I thought maybe this time it wouldn't, but it did.  After trying to cheer myself by reading happy things and having that not work, I started wasting my life on Facebook. But this time it wasn't a waste.

I became sucked into looking at pictures and after five minutes I realized that I was looking at pictures from 3 1/2 years ago.  Man alive! I thought (and I'm not joking, I really thought that) I am so blessed and lucky to have had so many opportunities the past three to four years of my life.  So here is a photo tribute to the experiences, but more importantly, the people that helped make my life so much better these past three years.

October 2009: After a life-changing hike with Lori Lund (Miller, now) and Kasey Butler. I didn't realize that long-term effects that this hike would have on my life but I frequently think about the things we talked about and the lessons we learned on that hike.  I needed my friends at this hard time in my life and they were there for me.

December 2009: at Lindsey's Ugly Sweater Party. I wish I had a better copy of the lower picture, but I think it's lost to cyberspace. Lindsey has been my friend through thick and thin, close and far, writing and phone calls. 

December 2009: Doing "See no evil,  hear no evil, speak no evil" with Ben and Jacob.  My brothers probably don't realize how much they make my day brighter, but they do.  

April 2010: My first full day in France. Sometimes that doesn't even seem real.  I learned a lot about myself when I was there. It was a good soul-cleansing and goal fulfilling trip.

May 2010: I got to spend 6 weeks in France. WHAT!? How many people get to do that? 

October 2010: This was a great group of roommates. Funny to think that we're all (except Biva) married.  I love this picture because we actually look like we could be tall or average-height people. And we are so not.

February 2011: I loved working with these ladies at Freshman Academy/Mentoring, especially traveling to Atlanta, Georgia to present at the First-Year Experience Conference.

April 2011: My partner in crime, Amanda Leifson.  So so so glad that we went to DC as a graduation present to myself.

May 2011: Verdon & Amberlee Walker gave me hope that I would find someone to love and love me back.  Verdon was one of my best friends for two years and I'm so glad that he's pursing his goals with Amberlee at his side.

August 2011: Taking engagement pictures.  Cody has changed my life and brought more happiness and laughter into my life than I deserve, but that I need.  Crazy that it has been two years.

January 2012: Parents. What would I do without them?

June 2013: My nephew, Westley.  That child is the reason I've seen my sister and brother-in-law so much the past year and a half (just kidding, sort of...haha).  I love this kid so much!

Even though life is hard, so hard, sometimes, at least I have good people around me who love me and whom I love.  I don't feel like the most faith-filled person right now, but I know I'm being supported by the faith of those stronger than I am right now. Thank you.

and Merry Christmas!

Gratitude

I feel like I'm always trying to find things for which to be grateful.  I know November is a natural time for Americans to think about gratitude because of Thanksgiving. I'm sure that other months are months of "Thanksgiving" in other cultures.

Here's a short list. I hope to add some longer posts about specific things that I am grateful for in the coming weeks:

1. the Gospel of Jesus Christ
2. my husband, Cody
3. the restored church of Jesus Christ (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
4. family
5. prophets, seers, and revelators today
6. books
7. library cards
8. chocolate
9. friends
10. letters
11. my mom and dad, specifically
12. Lindsey, specifically
13. carpools
14. airplanes
15. cameras
16. notebooks and pens
17. literacy
18. music
19. patient people
20. knowledge
21. Shakespeare
22. Dr. Seuss
23. Yo Yo Ma
24. blue things
25. warm blankets
26. colors
27. food
28. being able to cook
29. running water
30. indoor plumbing
31. indoor heating and cooling
32. a car
33. my job
34. Cody's job
35. that I live in the United States 
36. that I grew up in middle-class America so that I'm blessed with opportunities beyond many in the world
37. our local and national leaders
38. good people that have the desire to run for/be president/Senate/House of Representatives/Governor/etc. and who mostly are all just trying to do their best, so that I don't ever have to feel like I need to
39. scientists
40. iPods
41. running shoes
42. socks
43. my nephew who is the cutest
44. my brothers and sisters (counting in-laws, too)
45. American history
46. having gone to BYU and taken so many different classes
47. prayer
48. perspective
49. fall
50. that I'm not allergic to any foods or medicines

Almost a month...

Well, this has been the longest hiatus with posting on my blog for the past six months. It's kind of weird to think that seven months ago I started that special diet to see if any of the food I was eating was a trigger for headaches. It's even more weird to think that five months ago I wrote my first blog post from DC (followed by many, many more). And then school started and my blogging took a backseat to figuring out how to be a third grade teacher, how to be a teacher, and how to balance my work life, personal life, and church life.

Maybe life will slow down, but probably not.

Today has been kind of a hard day. I've been really worried about someone that I care about so much all day. I'm not sure exactly what is going on with her and her life, but I know that it isn't what was planned and if it happened to me I would be crying buckets all day.  Like I said, I don't know exactly what is going on, but the worrying and praying and trying to be hopeful for her all day, has been a growing feeling throughout the day.  I wish I could do more for her than just think about her and pray for her, but I can't.  I've made myself available to talk but probably everyone wants to talk to her right now and that can get old and annoying.  Thankfully I know she has a great family that is supporting her right now and that Heavenly Father is right there with her giving her the strength she needs to make any tough decisions.

...

Other than today though, I've had a good week.  I voted on Tuesday for mayor and a city-council Member. I love feeling and knowing that I am participating in the great American experiment when I vote, even when it is in "small" elections like for mayor. These are our leaders that impact the exact place where we live! Why wouldn't we vote for "lesser" positions like mayor and city-council?

Proof! I have the "I voted!" sticker

Last week was Halloween and Cody and I dressed up as Wreck-it-Ralph and Vanellope Von Schweetz.

I'm starting to get into the groove of third grade, but I do still miss teaching fifth grade social studies. I'm trying to follow Jane Eyre's advice when she becomes the teacher to those poor, country-folk--to put aside her fine accomplishments because she knows they will keep.  I know that my love for American History will keep. I'll still find ways to incorporate it a little bit in my class (still not the same!), but that knowledge and that love will "keep."

Also, I got my first flu shot (that I can remember; I maybe got one when I was a baby) today. I figured I should just bite the bullet, get it and not try to test my luck that I won't get it this year. I've been blessed with extraordinarily good health, but I don't want to let getting sick mess up my Thanksgiving or Christmas plans (after that? Sure why not? haha).

Thoughts during Fall Break

When I told my mom on Sunday that I had fall break this week, she asked, "What is that?" since it doesn't exist in the school district my brother attends in Michigan or in any of the schools that my sister and I attended growing up. My answer was that it was created for teachers so that they can come back to school and be ready to be with their students again.  We all laughed, but such were my feelings on Sunday.

After another roller coaster each day at school, I was really looking forward to my fall break.  As the day ended on Wednesday, one of my students invited me, yet again, to her soccer game, the last one of the season. I said that I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it, but I'd see.  Cody and I ended up being able to go and watch this student (and another one of my students) in their last soccer game of the season. It was really fun! I was able to talk with their parents in an informal manner about their lives. And my students saw me in an informal setting, laughing and having fun.

And that's when it hit me.

Just like during my student teaching when my mentor teacher, Rachelle, had to call me out and say, "You need to be yourself with the students. You're funny and laughing at lunch but you get all serious when you're teaching. Be yourself all of the time!" I realized that I was doing the same thing with my third graders. This is one of the reasons why the first week of school was so much fun and why the following six weeks have been roller coasters of good and bad and discouragement and hope.

Duh! I wasn't being me with my students. I didn't and still don't know exactly how to be me with my third graders, but I figured it out with my fifth graders so that gives me somewhere to start.  I need to laugh every day with my students or else I will go crazy. I won't want to go to work, I won't enjoy teaching, and I'm sure my students won't enjoy learning as much.  I'm surprised so many of them have said they enjoy school still.  I wouldn't if I was in third grade with a teacher as serious as I have been.  I need to be more fun, like I know I can be.

Another way this was revealed to me today was as I was checking their writing homework, I kept chuckling over their creativity and humor. I have really funny students. I should find more time to laugh with them.  An example of their wit:

One two buckle my shoe. Buckle your own shoe! Who said that? I did. What are you doing with those silly buckles on your shoes anyway? Three four shut the door. You shut it--you opened it! Five six pick up sticks. Why should I pick them up--do you think I'm your slave? Buckle my shoe, shut the door, puck up sticks, next thing you'll be telling me to lay them straight!! But it's only a poem. Nine ten a big fat, oh never mind.

Isn't she funny? Here's a picture of my creative, funny, and adorable students. I just need to remember that they are. :)

Three of my students with their fish as part of their aquarium project

I'm alive (and Lord of the Flies moment)

I realize I haven't posted on here for almost a month. It isn't because I haven't had anything going on. It's because I've had too much going on--meetings, getting ready for Primary Program, figuring out how to be a third grade teacher when I'm used to being a fifth grade teacher, Relief Society meeting, General Conference, doing family history work and taking the names to the temple, orchestra, and trying to decide if I'm going to exercise again.

Here's a little peak into a day I had two weeks ago after doing an art project.  It was only a small moment, but it was the moment in between finishing up and cleaning up... The name of the video should give you a clue as to how I was feeling:

Counting blessings

1. I went out for a run tonight and ended up running 4.67 miles with little problem (my knees started getting sore near the end).

2. A friend's third grade class is going to be pen pals with my third grade class (talk about having a motivation to write!).

3. I have the next two weeks planned for school (except for math...)!

4. We had pizza for dinner and I love pizza.

5. I'm doing benchmarks with my students tomorrow which means that I get to meet with every student individually and listen to them read. I love that!

6. I get to go to the Relief Society meeting with my sister in three weeks.

7. Cody and I will be getting together with some of our friends on Saturday for dinner or lunch and going to the temple.

8. I slept really well last night.

9. I'm feeling sort of organized with my new calling at church (Primary secretary--Primary is the children's organization in the LDS church for those who don't know), which is saying a lot since that is basically all that my calling means I need to be.

10. Beautiful sunset tonight that I got to watch appear as I went on my run.

11.  Thinking about how one of these days (soon...) I'll write about how I'm in a community orchestra and read a fantastic book that I think about all the time now.

Ten days

It's been ten days since Cody and I returned from DC.  In those ten days we have attended two weddings, one two-day graduation, I have had math training, back-to-school faculty welcome meeting, district meeting, third grade team meeting, and Open House.  School starts tomorrow.

Needless to say, I am exhausted. I was doing fine until today but man, I forgot how wiped out I get the first week of school.

Now, to go in order: Cody's younger sister got married last Wednesday.  We attended their sealing in the Salt Lake City, Utah temple...

Cody and me standing next to Cody's sister and her new husband, just outside the doors of the Salt Lake Temple

then went from there to help set up her reception at Wheeler Historic Farm in Cottonwood Heights area. After about four and a half hours of set-up, we attended the actual reception. Three hours later, we helped take it all down in an hour and a half. Also a funny thing that I thought of that day as I was getting my picture taken with the bride and all of her bridesmaids (of which I was one), is that I was the only one with my hair up. All the rest of the girls had their hair down. The funny thing is that, it used to be that after a certain age, it was a "privilege" to have your hair pinned up to show that you were a woman. Now it seems to be the opposite--have your hair down and show how beautiful it is.  I'm not complaining or judging (I have my hair down half the time, too), I just wonder when that switch in the female psyche happened in the Western world.

Then on Thursday, I went to math training and saw most of the faculty again for the first time in three months.  But the more important events of the day were that Cody's day one of graduation occurred. He was given the official "you're graduated" from President Cecil Samuelson, president of BYU. His parents, brothers, and us went to dinner that evening at Sizzler (Cody's choice; my family's traditions have rubbed off on him).

Cody and me after Thursday's ceremony

The next day, me, all of Cody's grandparents (except Papa John), plus his parents and brothers, and his cousin Shane, attended his college's graduation ceremony.  This was followed up by lunch at DP Cheesesteak's (another suggestion by Cody and it was a winner!). We were really happy that so many family members were able to be there for it, especially since most family members won't be able to make it to his higher-degree graduations.

Cody's parents, brothers, and me after graduation

Monday was my back-to-school faculty meeting and district meeting.  Yesterday was my third grade team meeting. And today was Open House.  I'll take some pictures of my classroom before school starts tomorrow.  I like it. It doesn't have an overt decoration theme, but it's simple, uncluttered, and open which I really like.

I miss DC. But I'm happy to be back.  I hope our paths really do take us back out there in the near future, like we hope they will.

It's almost over...

I can't believe I've already been here for over two months and that Cody has been here for over three months. The summer went by way too fast!  Today is filled with getting things ready so we can leave on Sunday:

• Cody carried a huge package to FedEx so we would have less to take with us on the plane (and how else do you send a 72 hour kit back to Utah?)
• Cleaning because there are cleaning checks tomorrow (stove, oven, fridge, vacuuming, cupboards, desk, bathroom)
• Packing...(mostly just clothes left now)
• Cody's last day at his internship
• Cody will submit his last paper for his class
• We're going to get together with another one of Cody's best friends and his wife tonight before we leave
• I finished the coding that I've been working with Kathie all summer so now we can analyze it
• Sending flight plans to our parents and Cody's brother so that he will hopefully be at the Salt Lake airport to pick us up when we land :)
• Trying to talk myself out of getting a stomachache because my subconscious is getting anxious about change
• Trying to talk to my subconscious so that I can sleep better at night instead of tossing and turning

Weird weird weird. Isn't it strange how attached you can get to a place even if you're only there for a couple months? I'm referring to DC in general, not just our apartment. I mean our apartment is fine, but it's more leaving DC that is strange. It was strange to come and now it's strange to leave. I really hope we do get to live out here again.

A Capitol Fourth (plus the weekend)

Our Independence Day holiday started Wednesday evening by going to the dress rehearsal of the annual concert given on the steps of the Capitol building.  Neil Diamond and Barry Manilow performed, along with a 13 year old girl from America's Got Talent, a sort of country guy from American Idol (I think?), some kid from Glee, and two performers from the Broadway musical "Motown."  It was good, though I did think there would be more patriotic music performed.

At the Capitol Fourth dress rehearsal

Thursday, we visited the Holocaust Museum. Amazing!  We spent two hours there and didn't get wiped out or overly tired because of it.  And it really made us appreciate our freedom and liberties.  That evening we watched the city fireworks from the balcony of a building that another intern works in.

On Friday, a long-awaited date occurred: paddle-boating in the tidal basin. It was fun! Hot and tiring since we were the powersource getting our little paddleboat to go anywhere. However, we were serenaded by a practicing choir on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.  Later that day we went to see "Man of Steel" at the AMC theater in Georgetown.

We took a really fast picture, facing the sun (which is why we're squinting); I was slightly paranoid about dropping my camera into the water...

Cody, the Jefferson memorial, and the practicing choir in the background

Saturday=day of nothingness.  We hung around the apartment building, did laundry, went grocery shopping, watched some shows, read, played air hockey and Scrabble, and talked.  I was attired in basketball shorts and my orange BYU NSO shirt all day.  It was fantastic!

I vote for no more Tuesdays & Facebook notifications let me down

It seems like Tuesdays have been the hardest days when Cody's been gone. So I vote to get rid of next week's Tuesday, skip straight from Monday to Wednesday, and then reinstate Tuesdays the next week. How does that sound everyone?

In other news: Why did I not find out about the tornados in Oklahoma until I was checking the weather this morning? How come NO ONE on Facebook--despite everyone's over-gushing sympathy and comments on EVERYTHING--mentioned anything?  I was a little shocked. My prayers are with those who have been, are, or will be affected by the tornadoes.  Tornadoes freak me out because of The Wizard of Oz.  Granted, almost every kind of serious natural weather disaster freaks me out, which is why I will never live in California ("regular" earthquakes) or Florida (hurricanes).

I'm the most exciting person I know

How do I spend my Friday night?

1. Working on research
2. Running errands
3. Hurrying to make a quesadilla so I can talk to Cody on the phone
4. Deciding whether I should go to bed at 7:45 because I'm so tired or try to get the house all cleaned by 8:30
5. Decided on cleaning. Cleaning was all done by 8:45 (it included going through the papers on the bookshelf in our bedroom that get piled up in my "church" square).
6. Going to work on planning the next two weeks of school and organizing materials for my annual memory book with pictures and students' work.

Like I said, I'm the most exciting person I know.

I really can't wait till I'm with Cody. Then at least, even if I'm doing the exact same thing, I'll be doing it with him there to help me, talk to me, and sing songs with me.  Maybe we'd even dance in the middle of vacuuming.  It hasn't been 10 days yet, so I know I can definitely make it through two more days.

Praxis II: PLT Test & Pomegranate Paradise with Raspberries

I took the Praxis II: Principles of Teaching and Learning test this morning. I feel like I did pretty well on it. I tried to pace myself so that I would have time to look over my 70 multiple choice answers and 4 constructed response questions at the end, and I had just enough time to do that.  Then I treated myself by going to Jamba Juice and ordering Pomegranate Paradise with raspberries instead of strawberries. It is sooo delicious! Especially for someone who loves raspberries as much as I do.

Cody picked me up after that. He'd already done the cleaning, so that leaves me with...planning for school? Reading The Hobbit? We'll see.

Missing and Not

I'm missing France and French today. I know I do a French Club every week at school, but it's different from learning it and being immersed in it. I hope that I'm helping my French Club students gain a love of French so that they'll want to take it in junior high and high school. But mostly it's so that I don't forget everything. And I've forgotten a lot of the more complicated things. One day I hope that I'll be able to take some more college level French courses.

                                         

I'm missing art. I really miss my ceramics and drawing classes I took at BYU.  Taking the time to create was something I loved and struggled with and loved all the more for that struggle. I checked out a watercolor book at the library yesterday with the half-formed plan of trying out watercolor again, especially when Cody's gone on his trips in the next few months.

I'm missing energy. I had a horrid migraine (or what I refer to as a migraine since the doctor obviously says it isn't unless it's diagnosed) last night.  I couldn't sleep for a few hours and I've been lacking in energy most of today.


I'm missing the love of teaching today. This is probably absent from my life today because 1) it was there yesterday, 2) I didn't get a lot of sleep last night and I am sooo affected by the amount of sleep I get, and 3) it seems like a lot of the teachers are just as exhausted as I am at school lately and no one is doing the cheering up and rallying. If I had the energy I would try, but I've just been so stretched lately.

I'm missing my memory.  I've been having blank stretches in my memory, they only last for about a minute but there is no memory whatsoever in my mind of certain things in my life.  I'm sure it's just because I've been tired lately, but I really don't like forgetting things.

I'm not missing unwelcome memories. While I've been forgetting certain things, a lot of other memories have been crowding my brain and making it hard for me to sleep and focus.  Sometimes those memories are unimportant, like thinking about how one of my students moved around the classroom. Who cares? But it can play back and forth in my memory. Other memories are more potent and lead to comparisons and I wish they would stay in the back room so I could fully appreciate the present and find ways to make the best of where I'm at now, instead of wishing for more efficient days or more harmonious days or days when I felt more intellectually stretched.

I'm not missing having an unreliable car. It's been so wonderful having our Mazda 6 this winter.  I've never had to really wonder if the car would be able to make it anywhere. And while the Saturn lives on, it's so nice having a car that is comfortable, classy, and reliable.

I'm not missing homework assignments for a college grade.

I'm not missing single's ward drama, especially in February.

I'm not missing being unemployed.

I know life isn't always the ideal and I know it probably won't ever be exactly what I thought I wanted, but I will get lucky sometimes and get something better. Sometimes it'll be worse, but if I just do the things I can control--sleep, exercise, eating right, telling my husband I love him every day, talking with my family often, keeping my testimony strong, and paying tithing (BIG testimony builder moments with that one lately)--then I know I'll be blessed to be able to endure and make it through.

In full swing

School has been in full swing for the past 3 1/2 weeks.  It's crazy to think about that sometimes.  I've been enjoying it a lot so far and have found it amazing how different classes and groups of kids can be from year to year.  I loved my class last year, but I think that this class will also have a special place in my part.

I've started my job as the PR person at my school, I wrote and posted two articles today. I was able to benchmarks yesterday and see where all my students are at reading-wise at the beginning of the school year.  I should be starting some reading groups next week to start helping them become more successful readers.

I've also been running for 4 1/2 weeks now.  I ran 5 miles on Saturday, the first time I've done that since my freak run back in April and before that I think it was a year, maybe longer.  I'm scheduled to run 6 miles this Saturday.  I should be able to keep on at this pace and run 10 miles by the second week of October. It's really exciting to be adding those miles up and I've found it helping to reduce stress.

When Cody and I went grocery shopping last week, we also bought a bag of Cheetos. They've been tempting me for the past three or four weeks and I finally gave in. This week was the best week to give in because of all the meetings I have.  Not only do I have running to reduce stress but I have Cheetos to make my soul happy.

New Pandora Station

I created a new station on Pandora and it was a really great choice.

Backstreet Boys radio.

Oh yeah, everything I've ever wanted to remind me of my childhood and adolescence. How can songs like, "Oops I did it again?" by Britney Spears, "The Hardest Thing" by 98 Degrees, "Shape of My Heart" by Backstreet Boys, etc. not make me smile?  Plus, they definitely made scrubbing the toilet and tub a lot more enjoyable.

I hope our neighbors don't mind me blasting the music to make it heard over the swamp cooler...

Update: I'm married and school's almost over

I haven't written since November. Shame on me.

Old news: I'm married. It's great!

Newish news: I have a nephew! He's super duper cute.

New news: Only a few more weeks left of school. That means that my first year of teaching is almost over.

Newest news: I'm doing this cool science thing in the summer where I get to travel in the Great Basin and be a scientist and get paid at the end of the year. It's going to be really fun and hard and tiring and fun.

Bad news: I won't have a lot of contact with the outside world because I'll be in the middle of nowhere looking at rocks.

Not new news: I don't write in here much anyway (because I write on my blog for school everyday) so the fact that I'll be cut off from all civilization during my summer science excursion won't be different for anyone who might happen to frequent this blog once in a blue moon now that I don't write regularly.

In other news: I'm tired but I get to be at the BYU library when it closes tonight. Yipee!