What Can I Say?

Update

2009-08-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

Well we are now going on day 5. It's going pretty well; we are finally beginning to get into the regular routine which makes planning and teaching go so much better. We still have a few things to learn about procedures, but we'll get to it. I was a little tired and burned out yesterday, but I took the night off and didn't do anything to do with school. I just needed a little break. I felt much better today.

Before and After

2009-08-17T22:18:00.001-07:00

Finally I have finished my classroom!

Well, to the best of my knowledge; I'm sure there are a few things I've overlooked. Anyway's here are the before pictures...

This is what it looked like when I first saw it. Last year this was pretty much just a storage room. Here's another picture of my desk area.This is kind of a during photo. I had all of the desks set up and a few other things, but nowhere near done. Here's mom helping me with the final touches. Thanks Mom! I seriously couldn't have done it without you. Love you!

Here's the final product. Look it actually looks like a classroom! These picture's don't really do it justice. I will post with some more detailed photo's later.

This is my favorite part. Best of all it's my view of the room. I got that background at Wal-Mart on clearance. Love It!
Kinda cool when you see them side by side. Anyhoo! School starts On Thursday and I just hope I'm ready! Wish me luck!

Classroom

2009-08-03T22:15:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's been awhile since I last posted, but I don't think anyone reads this anyways. Oh well, I'll keep posting for my own cathartic reasons.

I was able to go to my school for the first time since I interviewed. I was able to meet all the important people like the secretary and the custodian. They seemed like way awesome people. I also got to see my classroom. It's a trailer that is shared with another teacher. It's basically a "double-wide" The outside doesn't look like much, but the inside is actually quite nice. It's got a lot of windows and wood panelling inside. The best part is that I can control my own air so it can be as cool or warm as I want. Yee Hee! I took a picture. It's not great, but think of it as a before pic. I'll post pics when it's all put together...I have a lot of work to do. T-minus 3 weeks and counting!

Vacation!!

2009-06-16T22:55:00.001-07:00

Well I just returned from a fabulous vacation to Disneyland with the fam. My little brother was dancing and we went down to play and watch.

First stop Vegas!

We only spent the night but this is where my little sister got engaged! We all knew except for her and she was totally suprised. Down the street from our hotel was the little chapel that our grandparents were married in. So we went to visit and that's where he proposed. I knew it was coming so I got some awesome shots...

This is about the time she realized what was happening...

Amanada said he was so nervous he actually held the box out upside-down at first.

I'm so very excited for her and I am really glad to have Greg in the family. Greg don't say we didn't warn you!

Disneyland...

I didn't get a lot of pics here because I didn't want to cart my camera around and worry about it. Anyhoo here are a few shots of the fam that I found particularly amusing.

Here we are waiting for the firworks to start. Which we thought we had a pretty good spot for and then when they started there was a big tree that blocked the whole firework show! My fam can always take a great picture! This one makes me giggle. Andrew always comes up with something amusing to do.

P.S. The wierd guy in the corner was not part of our group. He does look like the average father at the end of a day at Disneyland though doesn't he?

This is another one waiting for the fireworks. This is Mom, Greg, Amanda, and Andrew being silly.

Golfin' With The Boys.

2009-06-07T00:02:00.000-07:00

So today was a first for me. I have never actually gone golfing before, and I've always wanted to give it a try. Friday, Josh decided it would be fun to get everyone together and go golfing Saturday. So we all went to lunch at Moodie's ( a really delicious sandwich shop uptown...don't ask me where), and then we went to a golf course and rather than actually golfing we decided to just go to the driving range. This was truly an awesome experience. I was able to spend some time with all of my brothers (Jarred flew in from Phoenix for the weekend), my dad, and my sister-in-law Emily (who also had never been golfing). Here are just a few pics of the fun time...

James, Devin, Emily, Josh, Dad, and Jarred

Me getting ready to make the ball fly! Not really but I certainly gave it a shot.

Thanks dad for the tips!

Andy-woo-woo! This kid is good at everything!

Look at the view pretty great huh?

This is James making a pretty good drive. I just thought this was a really good pic I took and I had to share... again great view!

Anyhoo, all in all I had a really great time. I will definitely do this again.

Becoming A Teacher Checklist

2009-05-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

1. Go to college and earn a bachelor's degree in elementary education. (Check!)

2. Get a job. (Check!)

3. Acquire a teaching licence. (Check!)

Looks like I have all of the things I need to become a teacher. Now all I have to worry about is being a teacher. Just thinking about the road ahead and how I haven't even began planning I feel very overwhelmed! I have 3 months to get over it and do some serious planning.

Update!

2009-05-13T21:23:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it! I have now posted two days in a row! A small step-up from my usual once every 2-3 weeks (or months depending on what calendar your looking at). I just wanted to give an update on the job search. This evening I officially accepted a job offer to be a 6th grade teacher!!!! I am very excited.
I have given it much thought lately and I really think I am going to be teaching at a great school. The principal was very eager to get me which made me feel very good and I know I will be welcomed. I will be teaching at Eagle Valley Elementary. I have briefly met the team leader, and what little I saw I was impressed with. I feel like I am going to do well and be happy.
Anyways, good luck to those of you still on the search I know you will find a position! Every interview I have been on the principals have had good things to say about UVU. I really think that UVU has one of the BEST teaching programs, and it has a good reputation.

Smooches!

L

Graduated!

2009-05-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

It's official... I have graduated with honors from college. Friday, May 1st my awesome cohort and I put on our gowns and very attractive hats and walked into the activity center and graduated from the school of education. It was pretty cool.

This is me with a few of my school chums before the ceremony started.

This is Melodie, (I just loved the tiara it suits her so perfectly) She kept me entertained during the last semester, probably one of the only reasons I actually showed up to class.

This is my cohort. I have certainly enjoyed spending the last 2 years with these awesome people. They made it memorable and I hope to keep in touch with them over the years.

Oh I love being an Aunt!!

2009-04-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

Right now I have the incredible blessing of having all the fun of kids with NONE of the responsibility. On top of that I have no shortage of adorable kids to keep me entertained. This is little baby Claire she is the most facially expressive kid I've ever known. She has the ability to pull the funniest faces and she loves an audience. This is a recent pic I took of her after taking out a very cute hair style. So on top of the hilarious face she's got this whole flock of seagulls hair do going. Gotta Love It!

Next we have Ben. As you know Ben is VERY energetic. I asked him to, "Pull a funny face" and this is what I got.

(when I said, "pull a funny face" he took it literally)

If you want to read more hilarious story's about these incredible kids go to their mothers blog at http://jandemasons.blogspot.com/. Trust me it's worth quite a good laugh!

On Thursday after attending MY LAST CLASS! I will be flying to sunny Phoenix to meet my family and visit my brother and my other three favorite kids who live down there. What a way to celebrate finishing school.

Peace Out!

L

Almost Done!

2009-03-19T22:13:00.000-07:00

For the last 10 weeks I have been doing my student teaching, and now I am in the last week of my student teaching assignment. I now have only one week to go, and while I am relieved to be finishing; I am a little sad. I am actually going to miss these students. They have certainly given me a lot of great memories, and I'm not going to be able to see them before they head off to 7th grade. I know that I am always going to turn to Mrs. Tingey if I ever need anything. I've even warned her that it won't be the last she'll see of me. She say's thats totally fine, but just wait until next year...
I have also been thinking about the fact that I'm am almost done with college (for now). I have been thinking about the last few years and all of the hard work and hours I have spent working toward this goal, and I can't explain the incredible feeling I have knowing that I'm actually going to reach it! For the last few years my life has been nothing but working full-time and going to class, and it's going to be very wierd when it's all done and all I have to do is begin my career and ultimately my life. This truly is a great place to be right now.

I think I'm the worst friend ever!

2009-03-15T20:54:00.000-07:00

This is me with my two best friends Jamie (in the middle) and Candice (on the right).

Okay, so I am feeling so very guilty. I have this awesome friend Candice whom I've know since 8th or 9th grade. Anywho, her birthday was two weeks ago, and even though I remembered it, and thought about her on that day, I did however forget to call her and wish her a happy birthday. I decided last week that I was going to send her a card and guess what I still forgot to do? So, it's made me think about what a horrible friend I have been. I have been so completely caught up in school that I've completely dropped the ball on being her friend. So in hopes that she will read this I wanted to let her know that I have thought of her, and I hope she had the best birthday! Also, she should be expecting a birthday card from me soon! Love You Candice! Thank You so much for being the best friend anyone could ask for. You have always been so great at calling me and including me in your thoughts. Please know that it hasn't gone unnoticed, and I will work on being a better friend.

Coolest Kids

2008-12-23T18:14:00.000-08:00

Aren't these the coolest kids? This was just before we got onto the house boat and Grandma had just bought them these pirate hats. I think it was just a perfect thing for them just as we embarked onto the house boat. (Only to get right off again, so that they could dock it for a night)

2008-12-22T20:35:00.000-08:00

So, there's a story behind this one. It goes back to a couple years ago and I was on a cruise with my dad. It was kind of late and me, my dad, and mom were hanging out at the bar/karaoke place on the ship. No, I did not have anything to drink. However, I did have a couple coke's and I prefer my soda to be drank through a straw. Well, we had decided to retire for the night cause it was late and I WAS TIRED. Anyhoo, we were standing by the elvators waiting for one to come, and I wasn't really paying attention to what I was doing and I went to take a sip of my Coke and the straw kinda went up my nose! Well, my mom noticed this and we had a good laugh for the rest of the trip about it. She told everyone of coarse and this is my lil bro teasing me about the whole straw up the nose thing. So now you all can tease me, but doesn't that story make this picture even more hillarious?!

2008-12-22T20:28:00.000-08:00

Look very closely can you see whats wrong with this picture? Ok, so this picture was taken clear back in May, but I forgot about it until I was browsing through my pictures and found this one. It's hillarious! We were on our way home from our yearly Lake Powell trip and we noticed something weird about this car that had been driving by us. Yes, this car has 6 count them 6 rear view mirrors! We laughed for a good half hour about this car. I can't even imagine why you would need 6 rearview mirrors!

For Katy!

2008-08-15T21:45:00.000-07:00

So I have this friend who is absolutely addicted to blogging. I promised her that I would update my own blog so here it is. Let's see I'm about to re-start school again and I have to say I'm actually looking forward to it. Considering I have been doing the whole two job thing, and both jobs required me on my feet I have to say it will be nice to be forced to sit in a chair for a few hours. Give my ankles a rest. Well, it's getting a little late and I need to go to bed cause I gotta get up and go to work in the morning.

Explaination of picture!

2008-04-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

Okay so I was looking at the picture to the right and thought I might explain. This is me and my lil sis Brat Face or you may know her as... uh... I know this one... OH YEAH! Amanda. Sorry I never call her by that she will always be the Brat to me. I say that with love though.
Anyhoo! We were on a cruise (my first and it was awesome!)and we were goofing around with my camera. It was the last night of the cruise and the boat was rocking like crazy. Let me tell you it was a fun walk to and from our room. Anyways, we were goofing around taking picture and we decided to do squish face, but I still had to hold the camera so I only have half of a squish face. This is a fun picture.

I was inspired!

2008-04-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, Okay, Since Emily is going to do the blog thing I guess I'll get on board. As you can see I have only actually posted once like 3 months ago. Oh Well, I'll say that if Emily continues with hers I'll keep mine up. Although I don't know who would want to read mine seeing as how it won't have any incredibly cute and entertaining stories about cute kids. Oh well, if you want to check it out I'll try and make it entertaining.

Peace Out!!

Welcome to my boring life!

2008-02-24T21:47:00.001-08:00

Well what can I say... I had to create this blog for a class. I think blogging is fun but do I have the ability to keep up with it? I don't know. My life pretty much consists of going to work then going to class. I would have to say it's pretty boring, but I do have some pretty interesting thioughts. I have decided to use this blog as a spot to record my weird thoughts for others to read. Who knows I just might actually post! We'll see.