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.

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).

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.

Arlington National Cemetery & National Zoo

Yesterday on our last Friday in DC for this summer, Cody and I went and visited the Arlington National Cemetery.  We visited JFK's gravesite and the tomb of the unknown soldier.  We even got lucky and arrived at the outdoor amphitheatre two minutes before a changing of the guard ceremony, so we were able see that too.

Cody at JFK's grave with a part of the cemetery in the background

Cody thought this was cool, "He was an interesting man" was his comment as he snapped the picture

Outdoor amphitheatre at the tomb of the unknown soldier

Guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier

Funeral procession

Then today we were able to spend a few hours at the National Zoo with our friends the Days.  They had been to the zoo twice already this summer, so they were our personal tour guides as we wandered the zoo.  My personal favorites: Amazonia and the orangutan.  Cody's favorites: the lions, gorillas, and the snapping turtle.

Male lion just chillin'

Inside the Amazonia building

Tortoise

Tortoise

Orangutan--they have this cool structure connecting the Orangutan Room with the Think Tank (another room where the orangutans hang out). They are able to climb on it between 11am-2pm daily.

Snapping turtle

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.

Adventures with Meg

I guess the real adventure started on Friday when Cody and I returned from his Washington Seminar briefing at CAP (Center for American Progress) and decided that we wouldn't leave our apartment for the rest of the night since it was stinkin' hot and crazy humid and we would be out all day on Saturday visiting places.  Several times that evening as I sat on the couch and thought, "I'm sort of...bored," and then voiced that opinion, Cody would remind me that we would be out all day on Saturday getting hot and humid and shouldn't we enjoy the AC like we planned on doing?

We enjoyed the AC. We (okay, probably just I) didn't enjoy as much being stuck up in our apartment on Friday night.

However, we made up for it by like 100 times on Saturday.  Our day started around 9am when Meg Barber, one of Cody's best friends from BYU, showed up at the Barlow Center with her backpack to be stored in our apartment while we wandered around DC all day.

Stop One: The White House.  We first walked by the back of it, but Meg wanted a picture of the more famous front, so to the front we walked.  Cody actually hadn't walked to the front either, so it was a new experience for him, as well.  We couldn't get as close as one usually can because the road was blocked off for-who-knows-why (the only thing I could see was that the sprinklers were on), so we trudged a little bit further, walked across the grass and got a really far off picture of the front of the White House.

Meg and the White House from a long ways away

Stop Two: The Capitol Building. We didn't take a tour, but we did walk all the way up the Mall to get to the Capitol.  We were pretty tired and hot by the time we got to the building; however, we were able to get some pictures taken.

Cody, me, and Meg with the Capitol in the back

Meg and I standing outside the LOC

Stop Three: Library of Congress.  This wasn't on Meg's original list of things to see in DC but since it was right behind the Capitol and right next to the Supreme Court Building (both of which were on her list), we stopped and explored.  I was able to share some of the knowledge I had gleaned during my tour a month ago.  Cody and Meg ended up liking the LOC a lot more than they thought they would. Score for me for suggesting it.

Me and Meg with the LOC in the background

Stop Four: Supreme Court.  They are doing construction on the facade so it has a large photo of the Supreme Court building on a big piece of cloth. It was also closed, so no-go on going inside.

Supreme Court buildling

Stop Five: We the Pizza.  This was Cody and my second visit to this delightful restaurant, and Meg's first visit.  We each got the lunch special of two slices of pizza and a home-made soda.  Meg loved her soda; she even went so far as to say it was her favorite part about the restaurant and that for forever all sodas will be falling short of the We the Pizza standard.

Cody and me eating at We the Pizza

Stop Six: American History Museum.  We wandered around more this time than last time when Cody and I crashed on a bench, though I did use some of the time that they were looking at the Philadelphia exhibit (which I'd already seen) to read Jane Eyre.  After going through and looking at everything, Cody and I came to the same conclusion that we are rather disappointed with the American History museum in that it doesn't really have a ton of stuff there, like some of the other places we've or I've gone to visit.

Stop Seven: Barlow Center.  We came back, took off our shoes, sat down, drank water, and rested.  It was a great idea.

Stop Eight: Bobby's Burger Palace.  We were really looking forward to getting milkshakes here again, but I guess they'd just run out of milkshake ingredients.  While the burgers were delicious, we missed out on not getting a milkshake.

Stop Nine: Lincoln Memorial.  This was my first time on this trip actually going up and looking around in the memorial.  There were sprinklers going on in the front at the base of the stairs that anyone could enjoy; Meg took part in that novelty.

Meg playing in the sprinklers

Stop Ten: MLK Jr. Memorial & FDR Memorial & looking across the tidal basin at the Jefferson Memorial:  Since all of these memorials are on the circumference of the tidal basin, we were able to walk through the MLK and FDR memorials, but the Jefferson memorial was too far away for us to get to and get back on time for Meg to catch her bus.  We took some pictures, enjoyed the serenity of one of my favorite places in DC, and then walked back.

Cody, me, and Meg by the tidal basin at the end of our long, fun day

It was a really fun, action-packed, touristy day.  We loved spending time with Meg, even and especially because of her excitement, stories, and wassal-ing.

Meg "wassal-ing" like Bilbo in The Hobbit

15 Reasons Today was Grrrreat!

I really needed today. Today was great! Let me tell you why:

1. After struggling to fall asleep in my way-too-hot apartment last night, I woke up from a great dream.
2. I was able to excuse myself for crying as I watched this video on Joseph Smith, by saying that I was crying because it's so sad about Joseph and Emma, when really I was crying because I miss Cody--but I had an excuse which made it feel better about crying.
3. I got to sit by my sister and watch my nephew watch other people during Sacrament Meeting.
4. I was able to hear a family friend, Sam Bateman, give his last talk before his mission; it was on faith.
5. I was able to play with my nephew at the Bateman's home.
6. I ate nachos for lunch (at the Bateman's home).
7. I took a little nap before church.
8. I got to play with my friend's 7 month old baby during the last 20 minutes of my ward's Sacrament Meeting.
9. I was able to reflect on service during Relief Society.
10. My dad was making fun of my mom on the phone and TOTALLY sounded just like her, which was hilarious!
11. I got to do a "Google Hangout" with Cody and look at his totally handsome, cute face and have him make me laugh.
12. I found out that some of our friends living in DC are willing to let us carpool with them to the Washington DC temple when we're there this summer.
13. I was able to visit teach with and for two of my best friends in this ward for the last time this summer.
14. I found out that one of those best friends will be going through the temple in June (probably) to receive her endowment and be sealed for time and all eternity to her husband and two little girls.
15. I am so so so happy about that news.  Visiting teaching changes us and affects us and those we visit more than we know.  Not only have I made an amazing friend, she has affected my life as I've seen her testimony growing, but I have been able to affect her life.

The day Cody and I talked about getting married.

Same day. Great day!

On the day Cody and I were sealed for time and all eternity--married forever--in the Michigan Detroit Temple

Me, my sister, and Mom on the day of my Great-Grandma Caryol's funeral

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I love how it changes us into better people. I love how all we have to bring is our belief and our desire and He will work with us and lead us on to be the people He needs us to be.  I love the temples of God and how, even though I'm only a child in my understanding, I am able to understand God's love, the Atonement, the Plan of Salvation, or myself better after attending the temple for any of the ordinances.  I am eternally grateful to be sealed to my husband for time and for all eternity, to know he is mine and I am his forever, and that my mom, my dad, my sister and her family, and my wonderful younger brothers, and all of Cody's family are my family forever.  There is no greater peace.

Why I visit teach each month

As I was eating my dinner tonight, I reflected on church today, especially on the lesson in Relief Society (for those of you that don't know, Relief Society is the hour of church where the women come together to teach each other from the scriptures and words of the prophets).   The lesson today was on Preident Monson's message on seeing others as they may become.  As we discussed ways that we can show others that we love them, visiting teaching came up.

Visiting teaching.  What is it?  Is it simply going out to visit the two or three sisters you've been given stewardship over to make sure they're not in a crisis and to share a brief spiritual message with them once a month?  Yes and no.  The goal is to minister like the Savior ministered and continues to minister to us through the Spirit.  The other goal is to make friends in the gospel.  But the goal is not to just have one more thing on your check off list.  Sometimes that might be what you need to make sure you make time to do it, but ministering isn't an item on a to-do list.

Ministering is keeping others in your thoughts and prayers and serving them in any way you can and that they need.  Right now I'm finding that my biggest acts of service are simply being consistent in going each month to visit, inviting them to church, and answering questions.

But why do I go visit teach every month since I've been assigned to be a visiting teacher?  It's because of two people: my mom and my sister.  I've seen the difference that my mom has made in others lives and I want to be like that.  With my sister, I've seen how she hasn't been visited very much, ever. And it makes me sad.  So I visit teach each month because I wish someone would do that for MY sister.  I wish someone would care enough about MY sister to visit her each month and to keep her in their prayers.  Because I care about my sister that much,  I figure there are other sisters and moms out there who hope the same for their sister and daughter, and so I go.

Me, my sister, my Mom

I go and over time I become friends with these amazing women I am blessed to visit. I go and I am blessed by interacting with these women.  I go and pray that sometime soon someone will do the same for my dear sister,  that they'll become friends and they'll realize just how amazing she is.  THAT'S why I go visiting teaching.

"Way to break your bow"

Yesterday I got my 7th notification that I had done a great job in the interview and it was really hard deciding, but they've decided to give the position to someone else.  I was a bit disappointed and a little discouraged--what am I doing wrong? Am I answering the questions wrong? Am I just not supposed to get a job? Is this just supposed to be hard for me?

That is the vein of thought I was in around 2pm yesterday when Cody came home from work and I apologize for that--I wouldn't want to be around that kind of thinking.  But thankfully, shortly thereafter, Cody and I read 1 Nephi 16.  Now, whenever I read 1 Nephi 16 and get to the part about Nephi breaking his bow, I always think of seminary and Mike Davis giving the commentary from Laman and Lemuel, "Way to break your bow, Nephi!"  It still makes me smile.

Yet this time reading through chapter 16, Cody helped me see how my situation right now totally applies to that chapter--I need to not murmur, be ready to make a new bow (even when my precious steel one breaks), go to others for help and guidance, be faithful and diligent and give heed to the words of the Lord found in the scriptures and modern revelation, etc.  That was the perfect start for me to rise above my discouragement and become hopeful again.  No, it isn't easy; but after Nephi and his family struggled in this chapter, they found Bountiful and had rest for a little bit before going on to their next adventure.  The same could be true for me.

Plus, I got two letters in the mail yesterday which made me so happy, especially since one of them has been a long awaited letter from Lindsey Herde!  And she was inspired and included this quote at the end of her letter, "Progress is any movement toward peaceful acceptance of whatever the future may hold.  Working on things we can change, whether in personal or professional life, rather than concentrating and obsessing about those we can't, builds self worth and fosters hope" (August 2008, Ensign, "Single and Steadfast: Lessons in Hope). Thank you, Lindsey!

Happy :)

There is no other way for me to say it:

Right now I am more happy than I have ever been in my life. Heavenly Father knows what He is doing and I just need to trust Him.

p.s. Interview went well today; I'll find out next week.
p.p.s. I got to spend time with Michigan people tonight--awesomest thing ever!

Needing a little pick me up? Apparently I did.

I woke up this morning feeling pretty good about my life--things are still in the shadows regarding a job but I do have another interview this Thursday for a fifth grade position (my favorite!), plus having a somewhat flippantly uttered whim at the beginning of spring term come true is also a nice surprise and addition to my life (I've started dating someone).  Yet even though I'm feeling pretty happy about life in general, Heavenly Father still found ways to make it even better!

1. I got to see Megan Smith this morning at the temple.
2. I got to see my hot air balloon this morning (it's rainbow-ish design and I know I've seen it on four different times: 28 February 2009, 28 March 2009, 17 October 2009, and 19 March 2011 and today, of course).
3. Cody Knudsen got to see my hot air balloon out the window of the HBLL.
4. Brad Wilcox gave me a hug at the reading workshop this morning (he gives great hugs and he's like a second Dad to me).
5. One of the girls that was in the class I was observed teaching for the Rocky Mountain 3rd grade position came up to me after the reading workshop and told me that she thought I had done a great job and that she'd wanted me to be hired.
6. Amy Miner, one of my former professors and mentors and friends, sent me an email telling me not to be discouraged about finding a job.
7. I bought a little chocolate bar at the grocery store.
8. Amber Thomas reminded me about the activity I was supposed to have already printed out and put on doors already so now I can.
9. I was able to type up my journal entries this morning (rather than taking the time to hand-write them which I usually do) which was a blessing in and of itself because it was five pages and it would probably have exceeded the limit of the last few remaining pages in my current journal.
10. I got a voice mail message from the principal where I have my interview on Thursday in response to my message this morning saying that I didn't know her exact address to send her numbers for my references and so I'd gone to the website and it said the principal was a man. And in my message I told her that I'm assuming she isn't a man so obviously the information was incorrect. And in her message for me, she said that yes the info needs to be updated because she definitely is not a man.  That made me laugh really hard.

People are so nice!

Yesterday a momentous event occurred: My flip-flops that my mom got for me freshman year of BYU from the Dollar Store finally broke.  They should have broke on my way to the MTC yet because Heavenly Father loves me, they did not break until after.

How?  Because my roommate, Em, was nice enough to offer me a ride to the MTC; thus, my flip-flops did not fall apart on the way there and I was able to go into the MTC and be taught by the missionaries because I had shoes on my feet.  As I was leaving the MTC, I got to the corner of University Parkway and 900 E and my one flip-flop totally busted.  So I took off my other one and continued my trek home.  I walked a fairly good distance, enjoying the warm sidewalks and cool grass, and trying to walk more quickly over the asphalt and road areas because those places were hotter.  And then who should pull up to give me a ride but my brother-in-law, Remick.  How blessed am I?  People are so nice!

Then this morning began "Get Lost in Utah County: Part III".

I hopped on the bus around 7:20 to get to my interview in Alpine at 10:20.  I made my transfer successfully and I'm enjoying the ride. As time passes, I know I'm getting closer and closer to my next transfer that will take me to the school, so I turn off my music and direct all my attention outside the window.  As I see the street signs change from N/S to E/W I feel hopeful that I'm on the right track because the All-Knowing-Google directed me that my transfer stop will be at 8:46 at State St and 695 E, and from there I'll walk to 700 E and 17 N.  No biggy, right?

Except that as the bus is cruisin' along, I see 300 E and then the next one is Main Street and the bus turns on Main Street and we're perpendicular to N/S again.  Great!  I inwardly freak out, pull the cord, and get off the bus and begin walking in the direction I just came from. Giving myself a silent pep talk about how I still have twenty minutes till the next bus comes to make the transfer, it's only a few blocks over, I'll totally make it.

Yet, as I walk down Main Street to State Street and south on State, the numbers change from 300 E to being in the Souths again. Thoroughly confused and not quite sure where I even am--I could see the G on the mountain so I thought that maybe I was in Pleasant Grove, but I really didn't know--so I began calling people.  First I called Terri because she's superwoman and can do anything. She didn't answer her phone so I left a message telling her I was lost but that I would continue to call other people.  Then I called Ally Gordon.  Then I called my former roommate Ashley Carter. Nothing worked. Then I tried Paige.  And Paige was my hero of the before-interview-time.  She came and found me and drove me to the school for my interview.

The interview went well. :)

Afterword, I was waiting outside because Terri had gotten a hold of me and she said she would come pick me up and take me to a bus stop so I wouldn't need to wait for the bus that would be coming at 1pm.  The girl who interviewed after me, Brittany, came outside. She and I had taken classes together at BYU and chatted for a few minutes.  Then she graciously offered me a ride back to Provo.  I called Terri, informed her of the change in plans, and rode off with Brittany.

I just need to make a public declaration of gratitude to these kind, caring people who have gone out of their way to help me in my car-less, shoe-less, and directions-challenged state. THANK YOU!

Texting on a New Phone

Last night after I got back from the On The Roof concert and going to Burger Supreme for the first time, I was snuggling in to bed, talking with my roommate who I hadn't seen all day, and I got a text.  The text was from one of my friends saying she got a new number. As such, I promptly saved it in my phone.

This morning, after getting up and cleaning and doing laundry, I started finishing the end of Shakespeare's Henry VI: Part One.  Then I had the brilliant idea that since I didn't see the light of day yesterday because I was stuck in the Freshman Mentoring office finishing the article on peer mentor development: a qualitative rubric analysis, I would water paint this morning.  As I was taking out my water color supplies, I got a text from the friend who had texted me the night before. The text read:

Oh great. How is your pregnancy going?

I pretty much died laughing right then.  Seriously. Tears were coming out of my eyes and I couldn't hold my body up because I was convulsing with laughter.  How did I respond?

You just sent that to the wrong person. This is Beth and I'm definitely not pregnant unless it's by immaculate conception. ;)  But that gave me one of the best laughs I've had for a while. Tears were coming.


Her response: Haha, I didn't know it would sent to everyone.  That was to someone else.
Me: Well that's what I figured :)


Texting on a new phone is always an adventure.

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13ths always have a soft spot in my heart because one of my best friend's favorite numbers is 13.  I've recognized every single Friday the 13th for the past five years in his honor--not because they are unlucky but because they can be uncommonly lucky.

I'm hoping for that luck to come sometime soon in my search for job.  Yet, I know that it won't be luck that "lands me the job"--it will first and foremost be the guidance of the Lord in my life, second of all it will be the help of my supervisors and those who wrote letters of recommendation for me, third of all it will be my ability to convey to my "judges" that I will be a qualified teacher and willing co-worker, and fourth of all, the goodness of my "judges" hearts to hire me.

I've been finding lilacs a lot lately--this week especially--which has made me so very happy! Lilacs always bring me such joy! Not only do they smell divine, but they are dainty and have a simple beauty.  They also only come at one time of year, their own special season, which happens to pretty much be the month of May, maybe into the beginning of June, but more likely not.

Lilacs are a particularly bright spot in my life this week because I've been facing some inner doubts concerning how others perceive me. And I really shouldn't worry about it...and I usually don't...but I do sometimes.

I think I'm just overly-sensitive or something.

But back to today being Friday the 13th.  I had a job interview today--let's hope the "luck" superstition holds!

Lindsey, Lori & Sam

I received three letters today: Lindsey Herde, Lori Lund and Sam Bhagwat. I just sent Lindsey and Lori letters this morning too so that was pretty fun to get their letters this evening. And Sam sent his letter probably a month and a half ago.  It was SO great getting his letter. He sent pictures and he'll be coming home December 27 and I go home December 28 so we'll be able to see each other before he leaves for Stanford and I go back to BYU. YAY!!

Tomorrow is the 6 months left for Jamon anniversary and the 1 year left for Lindsey anniversary. Of course I won't tell either of them that I am counting down (sorta) the months they have left because that isn't what they should be focusing on.  Goodness I love my missionary friends. I am so blessed to have them.

I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends in general. I love Lindsey so so much! She is just always constantly being an answer to prayers. And Lori is just fabulous! And Sam, Sam is Sam. :) I can't believe I'll get to see them all soon!

Day 41 & 43: Sites & "Getting Lost" in Monaco

On Monday I went with a group of people to several different areas/sites in Nice as a class assignment--Old Nice, chateau (really, they're chateau ruins) and a Russian orthodox church. I love the bright colors of the buildings around Nice. I wish I could have had more background information about the chateau/ruins before we went to find it. The church was really neat though! The iconography is interesting. I told Rachel that it is fun to compare the art of the Byzantine era with the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The changes that came about with the Renaissance with the Roman Catholic church and the continuity and consistency of Eastern Orthodox to Byzantine styles is pretty interesting. After so much time has passed, it has remained virtually the same.

Russian Orthodox Church in Nice

Old Nice

Today Grace, Judy and I went to Monaco. We didn't actually get lost, but we were flaneuses--we didn't have a specific walk we needed to do, we just needed to get a feel for the environment and notice what was around us. It started as an adventure getting to the right bus station and going around Nice with a cranky bus driver. But we did make it to Monaco, standing all the way. Grace and Judy got off and then the doors shut so I got off at the next stop. :) We met up about 5 minutes later. We walked through Old Monaco, through the cathedral where Grace Kelly is buried (they have signs everywhere with her picture and captions in several different languages telling what she did at that place), and then we walked around some more. Monaco was cool, it wasn't entirely what I was expecting after hearing that it is such a rich place to live. It seemed pretty dirty and cramped to me. I wouldn't really want to live there, sandy beaches and all. But whatever, to each his own.

I just thought this sign was funny :)

Grace Kelly is buried here