making life a perpetual spree

Isn't that what life was made of?

2012-01-30T21:39:00.002-07:00

"I'm sleeping, and right in the middle of a good dream, when all at once I wake up from something that keeps knocking at my brain. Before I go insane I hold my pillow to my head and spring up in my bed screaming out the words I dread."

What if you are what a prince would envision?

2012-01-17T18:45:00.008-07:00

Last week was a hard week for me. I was worrying about the future because of what has happened in the past. Like Lot's wife, my attachment to the past, however negative, outweighed my confidence in the future. I am so confused about how I let that happen. I mean I have faith! I know Heavenly Father has a plan for my life!

I was trying so hard to get off the mind train, but it's hard when the train is barreling down upon you ninety to the dozen!

I had to just jump off that train, in a very Sherlock Holmes sort of way. And I realized some things.

I have been dreaming of teaching school for a long time. And now what am I doing? Teaching school! I have a whole classroom full of little wonders. While school is crazy and busy and hard, it's a dream come true and I am loving it!

(This picture was taken before school even started. My classroom definitely has a more "lived in" feel now!)

I'm dating a wonderful guy. No more a smart little girl with no heart! Seriously, he's lovely and perfect. True. And if you'll excuse an expression I use...

And lastly, a quote from my favorite British friend: "I've decided to just be happy, because if not then you can't really help anyone." And really, charity is always something I need to be working on!

Sweet and sour CHICKEN!

2012-01-14T12:58:00.002-07:00

Seriously...I love this guy so much! Oh, Phil.

A year in review--2011

2012-01-01T22:06:00.014-07:00

So, to be completely honest, 2011 started out rough. But I worked at being happy, prayed a lot, and soon I was definitely able to grow and change. I've had so many great experiences and blessings this year! Wouldn't change it for the world, but I'm ready to see what 2012 has to offer :)

Spent more lovely time in a boot! Had to start wearing orthotics.

Finished the majority of my undergrad coursework and got hired as an intern at Orchard Hills Elementary. This is what I had been dreaming about for years...definitely cried on the phone when the principal called to tell me.

Met Marc Brown! Very exciting.

Was called as RSP for the second time...there's obviously a lesson I need to learn!

My best friend got married!!

Had a great vacation to Disneyland with my family. Went on Tower of Terror for the first time and I LIVED!

Started my first year of teaching! Totally fell in love with my job and 25 ten year olds.

Had an intense Halloween party at a barn--we survived, and luckily my car did too!

Talked to Santa...and he totally delivered this year. I believe!

Got to see the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert with a pretty awesome guy and two of my best friends.

Ended the year by spending some great time up at Aspen Grove with the Murrays!

As you can see, I've had a great year. I feel very blessed and I'm excited to set goals and grow next year!

Take that

2011-12-26T22:54:00.006-07:00

This is me [figuratively] punching my confusion in the face.

You don't think I have it in me, huh? Maybe you should talk to my home teacher.

I'm just not exactly going to let my worries and fears control my life! Hiiiiiiiiiiya!

(Hopefully when you read that, it sounded like a ninja noise.)

For the record

2011-12-22T17:26:00.003-07:00

Just for the record, there are three books I could read over and over again.

1. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

"It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting...there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure."

2. The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

"My Father in Heaven knows that I have done nothing wrong. I know that God lives and He will be the proper judge of this matter. Until our happy union in a better world, I remain your friend and brother in the gospel."

Watch out. This book, based on the true story of a Hitler Youth, WILL make you cry.

3. Big Russ and Me by Tim Russert.

"The best exercise for the human heart is reaching down to lift someone else up."

SO good!

Teaching is hard.

2011-11-28T20:27:00.003-07:00

It's really, honestly hard. It's time consuming. I wake up at 5, plan, get to school by 8, teach until 3:15, plan until 5, come home, eat dinner, and then plan again until 9:30 or 10 and do it all again the next day.

It's not just the time commitment that is hard, though. It's the caring. I care so much about those students. I want them to achieve their full potential, so I'm going to do everything I can to get them there. It's emotionally draining, really.

So it bothers me when people who are not involved in education want to have great debates. I love these quotes I found in the Readers' Digest...

"If we teach small children, don't tell us that our jobs are "so cute" and that you wish you could glue and color all day long."

"We take on the role of Mother, Father, psychologist, friend, and adviser every day. Plus, we're watching for learning disabilities, issues at home, peer pressure, drug abuse, and bullying."

Yeah, there's a lot to think about. So don't argue with me about No Child Left Behind, because I see the repercussions (good and bad) of that act reflected in the eyes of my students every single day.

I don't know everything about education--I'm definitely a rookie teacher--but I know enough and I care a lot. So let's stick to our respective areas of expertise!

Yes. Teaching is hard. But I honestly, truly love it!

EB

2011-11-15T22:43:00.005-07:00

So I have this friend. Shocking, I know. I tell him everything, I'm sure more than he would like to hear. And somehow he always knows exactly what to say in response! The best thing is that with one sentence he can both censure and inspire me. How does he do it? Does it have anything to do with the fact that he is British?

Plus, he has nicknamed me Natkat. Does it really get any better than that?

In all seriousness, I am very grateful for a friend who doesn't beat around the bush! There is one piece of advice I try to take daily: "Chill the heck out...twice!"

Halloween...

2011-11-01T21:32:00.003-06:00

I loved spending it with my students. Loved the costumes (we had four angry birds, some baseball players, princesses, those creepy people in black robes, and zombies, to name a few), loved seeing their excitement, loved having some mothers come in a put on a little party for the kids...

...didn't necessarily love how crazy the day was. The kids were so excited and happy and it was great, but it was hard to get them to focus.

That's okay, though! They're only 10. I think it's okay for them to have a day at school where their main purpose is to be with people who care about them and have fun.

It was hard for me to get used to that idea, but I did love spending time with my students in a setting other than a math lesson or test or something.

Oh plus, someone brought in a class pet for us on Halloween. Yes, three jumping spiders and a wasp (the wasp was for the spiders to eat). Aren't we lucky??

They're actually pretty cool to look at.

Fall Dance Fest

2011-10-19T22:51:00.005-06:00

This isn't a picture of the dance festival--this was at our field trip! Those three ladies are my support system and team at school. They are AMAZING. I am definitely very blessed to be working with them. They are always willing to share ideas, help me think through difficult concepts, give advice, help me calm down and see the bigger picture, and they even have taken care of me when I was sick with a migraine or when I almost fainted in front of my class. They are wonderful and I am so grateful for them!

Anyway...

Today was our school dance festival. For the past month or so, every grade has been practicing and perfecting a dance to perform for the school and parents.

Our fifth graders performed the Ukrainian Koza, which I learned at BYU thanks to the folk dance teachers and that red headed TA that I dated.

The kids were fabulous! I am seriously so proud of them. We worked really long and hard on the dance, and it wasn't easy! They had to switch partners five times! When we performed the dance today, our partnering got a little off but the kids smiled and pretended like nothing was wrong. What troopers!

Even the kids who were incredibly nervous about performing went out and killed the dance! One boy in particular was almost in tears he was so anxious. After talking it through with his mom, we told him he didn't have to dance if he was too scared (even though we wanted him to!) but the choice was his.

As we filed into our seats at the beginning of the festival, I asked him what he was going to do. All he could say was, "I'm thinking...I'm thinking..." and wring his hands. It was so sad! We were the second group to dance. As we got into our circle, this little boy's face was white, his eyes were wide, and I could tell he was terrified.

After the dance we chatted. I told him how proud I was that he got up there and did it, even though it was hard. He could not stop smiling! I loved it so much. He was SO proud that he did it!

I thought this photo was okay to post since it doesn't really show faces, and I'm not using names. You can see him leaning on his knees, deep in thought.

I love that my students do hard things. I love seeing how happy they get when something finally clicks, or when they accomplish something difficult. I love teaching so darn much!

Me and Stephanie at the dance festival. The weather was perfect!!

Dating Don'ts: Part 4

2011-10-08T22:16:00.003-06:00

I know I just barely posted 5 minutes ago but I had a "dating don't" pop into my head and I have to post it now or else I'll forget! Ah!

Dating Don't #10: Don't ask me to tell you about my past relationships on a blind date. Because I'm not gonna talk about that stuff with you until I trust you. And I don't trust you on a blind date.

I told you our ward likes to have dance parties.

2011-10-08T21:58:00.007-06:00

So, our first stake dance ever was scheduled for this month. Our ward was put in charge, for obvious reasons (think DJ Hawk. No really, I think that's the reason).

We had a BLAST. After a month of planning, we all met at the church yesterday at five...shopped for the food--veggies and candy...set up...glowsticks in balloons hanging from fishing line on the ceiling--awesome. Cut out paper shapes (think Saved By the Bell) to put on the walls--not SO awesome, but still looked pretty cool, especially in our photo booth.

We finished decorating at 8:45, which gave us just enough time to go home, change, and run back to the dance!

The dance was sweet. We had a better turnout than we thought, people actually dressed up, and everyone was WAY into it! It was a success.

The dance ended at 11:45, we cleaned up fairly quickly, and I was in bed by 2am! Just like 7 hours at the church...nbd...it was worth it because it was fun.

My Presidency --I love these girls!

My Presidency + the EQP--we love him SO much.

The 33rd ward group!

Bishop let me wear his white rim sunglasses! It was a just in time, last minute gem. Makes me want to cry.

Our ward with the stellar DJ, Bishop Hawkins.

What a night, and what a ward! Don't want it to change, but I guess that's inevitable!

The truth is...

2011-10-07T07:17:00.009-06:00

The truth is that my ward is awesome. One of my best things about my ward is that we know how to party! Specifically, the bishop knows how to party.

Not only can the bishop throw parties, he can DJ! What does that mean?....DANCE PARTIES!

Last week was our Back to School Bash! It was a blast.

Karly and I with the DJ

Karly and I partying!

Spence and I, in what is probably the scariest picture I have ever seen of myself.

I don't know why I couldn't stop making that face! But...it was an awesome party.

Karly and I being ourselves. But with slightly more awkward faces than usual. Probably because of the flash.

If you didn't know...

2011-09-16T23:07:00.004-06:00

...I do have a life outside of teaching. I know it doesn't seem like it, because the only thing I can ever talk about is my class and the fun we have, but this is because I am LOVING IT.

It gets so HARD and so DRAINING! But it's so fun. I haven't cried once out of frustration (I did cry one day in class, but only because I was laughing so hard it moved me to tears) and I haven't even been tempted to yell at my class. That's good, right??

I am sooo far from being a perfect teacher, but for now I'm just trying. I'm trying to work on a couple of goals a week. Slow and steady wins the race!

See? I always end up talking about school no matter what!

(Photo Credit: Lincoln. I think)

Something exciting that just happened was our stake luau. My presidency and the EQP performed a dance from Fiji and, well, we basically rocked. At first we were thinking, "What the heck?? We have to perform at a LUAU?!" but eventually we got into the dance and decided to just have fun with it.

BULA!

Shenandoah!

2011-09-04T21:33:00.002-06:00

Ooooh man. Such a good movie! This final scene is so good! I just love Jimmy Stewart. Watching Charlie and The Boy sing and cry...touching!

Loving it

2011-08-27T12:53:00.004-06:00

It's a little sad, a little liberating, a little weird, a little exciting, and a lot different.

I'm not going to BYU in the fall.

When did I grow up?

But at the same time, I feel like I've been teaching for months (the first week of school is sooo long).

I love my job and I love those kids...I can tell that my love for them will keep increasing the more I get to know them.

I'll never have a first "first week of school" ever again.

I'm glad the only chance I got went so well!

Good thing I took Elder B's advice to "chill the heck out...twice."

Gem of the day

2011-08-24T18:57:00.002-06:00

I had the kids fill out a "get to know you" survey for me today.

In response to the "Do you have any pets?" question, one of my little boys wrote the following:

"Yes, two girdles."

Huh?? I'm imagining a corset on a leash....

Pretty sure he meant "gerbils" but spelled it wrong and had a backwards "b." Funny anyway.

School starts Monday. What??

2011-08-20T12:53:00.003-06:00

I know that all professions have things that are tough, things that are fun, etc, but I really love this quote.

"If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job."

Donald D. Quinn

Also this:

"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theatre."

Gail Godwin

Poor baby

2011-08-12T14:57:00.004-06:00

Dear Car (I think your name is Timothy, but that just doesn't seem quite right),

I missss you. Mostly your air conditioning, your smooth brakes, and your familiarness (not a word. Roll with it). Please come back soon; I'm afraid to drive to Santaquin without you. And don't let this be the impetus for further problems!!

Love,

PS: That temporary white Volkswagen will never take your place!

My Teacher Wish List

2011-07-27T18:01:00.003-06:00

I honestly think I need this tape dispenser. My classroom will not be complete without it!

Also on my wish list...time, creativity (I was born with none), perspective, more time, a complete, first two weeks plan, and a chocolate supply.

T minus less than one month

2011-07-25T11:21:00.003-06:00

So, as August quickly approaches, I find myself getting more and more and more stressed! Life is getting busy, and there are lots of triggers for stress in my life right now! But there are some things that are keeping a smile on my face.

1. My Bishop's willingness to act as my wing man, and his willingness to let me cry in his office. Haha.

2. This text from the EQP: "Maybe we should get together just to censure each other." So true!

3. This recent poem from EBish.

Oh Natalie, Oh Natalie,

What rhymes with Natalie?

Perhaps fatality, or even Maternity,

How about profanity, or the word calamity?

I know I'd suffer insanity, if it wasn't for Natalie.

Well, life is crazy! But there's always that silver lining!

My job

2011-07-13T22:20:00.003-06:00

I don't always love working at the MTC. But now, with only nine days of employment at the good old MTC Bookstore left, I am trying to enjoy it as much as I can.

Two things I am loving right now:

1. WAYNE is in the MTC! He and his wife came in on Monday and have been coming in every morning to say hi and yes, buy some candy to tide them over during class. The other morning I was selling Wayne some Mentos, and for some reason we were talking about the accuracy of body scanners at the airport, and he told me very simply, in his own soft spoken manner, "Well, the Israelis use dogs. That's why they're better than us." Okay then!

2. There is an Elder, we'll call him Elder Payne, who has somehow decided he is very good friends with me and Lexi. He was delayed a week due to the fact that he had to have surgery on his nasal passageway. The day after his surgery, the mail room delivered a note addressed to "the Bookstore employees, Lexi and Natalie. "

"Surgery went well thanks for the well wishes I'll be by thursday when I'm coherent

Elder Payne"

That poor Elder! He did come in later when he was coherent, but first he came in when I'm not so sure he was coherent.

The joys of our employment.

Must Read

2011-07-09T15:32:00.003-06:00

The Day the Babies Crawled Away

I just read this picture book, and loved it! I had read another book by this author and loved it, and I was a little confused about this book just from reading the title, but the illustrations are beautiful and the text is fun and charming. Read it!

A Tribute

2011-06-25T00:06:00.003-06:00

Happy birthday to one of the most hilarious people I know: my Asian brother, Mark.

My favorite presidents...sorta.

2011-06-22T15:22:00.004-06:00

Sometimes I forget how much I love the movie Dave. Also, I'm frequently surprised by how much I love the character of Dave. Man! I love him as president of the United States!

My love for Dave, however, is often challenged by my love for President Whitmore in Independence Day...

A Good Boss

2011-06-17T15:41:00.002-06:00

Up until this week, Wayne was the store manager at the MTC Bookstore. I love Wayne; he's kind of like that boss you have who acts as a sort of grandfather. He and his wife are going to serve a mission, which is awesome, but I'll miss him! Things I will miss about Wayne include his corny jokes (A jumper cable walks into a bar. The bar tender says, "Hey. Don't start anything"), his random little jobs (putting bar codes on chopsticks, cleaning old binders), the fact that he is my wing man, and the fact that he indulges some of our whims(National Donut Day, random pizza days).

This picture was taken on one of his last days--he took us to see the new bookstore that is currently under construction. We got in trouble because we weren't wearing the proper footwear, but Wayne gave us the tour anyway (since neither he nor I will be around in the fall to see the finished product!).

My Father's Day Book Pick: Big Russ & Me

2011-06-11T21:37:00.003-06:00

It is really so good. If you love your father (which I do, and you should), you will identify with this book. The things Tim Russert says about his own father will resonate inside you, and you will be filled with overwhelming love and appreciation for your father, your mother, and those who had a hand in raising you to be the person you are today.

If you don't love your father (shame on you), this book will help you learn to love the person your father is. I know it sounds weird, because it's a book about someone else's dad, but I truly think this book is amazing.

I loved, loved, loved this book. Maybe it won't change your life, but it changed mine for the better! My dad introduced me to this book :)

My Best Friend's Wedding

2011-05-20T20:24:00.007-06:00

It was beautiful and wonderful and I am SO happy for Brad and Karlee! I love them both so much. I love them so much I cried all through the little tribute I tried to give at their wedding luncheon (I am my father's daughter :)! They are perfect for each other and I wish them the best in the years to come!

The night before the wedding reception, at our makeshift Bachelor/Bachelorette party...yeah....we went to Maverick...

Haley, Karlee, and me at the reception. It's too bad Janna couldn't be there, but we're so glad she's happy in London!

Don't they look so happy? I love it!

I love her so much. I am so grateful for all the support she has given to me throughout the years. Her friendship means so much to me! And she looked absolutely beautiful!

Dating Don'ts: Part 3!

2011-05-16T16:32:00.002-06:00

Click here for Parts One and Two!

7. Do not send a text, meant for your mother, about your date, to your date. Especially not if that text is calling your date "fickle."

8. Don't honk/text/call your date when you get to her house. Go to the door. According to Paul Hennessy (one of the greatest TV dads of all time!!), Rule One states: "If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure as heck not picking anything up."

9. Do not invite your date to a family activity where you refuse to speak to or even make eye contact with her. Do bring her home from said activity before 2:30 AM. Do inform your date if you're so angry you can't ever speak to her again.

It probably sounds like I have a lot of bad dating experiences...I really don't; it's actually quite hard for me to come up with these "don'ts" sometimes. But rest assured, I know from personal experience that you shouldn't do any of these things on dates.

Somewhere in the crowd there's you.

2011-05-14T13:59:00.001-06:00

Noelle and I made this video the summer before she left on her mission. So many good memories!

Hope of America

2011-05-11T20:48:00.000-06:00

Of course I took the EQP with me to see Hope of America. We sat in the very front row...

Right behind Elder Lund and his wife (stalker picture, Josh took it)...

And Noah Hartsock and his cohorts.

See that red stripe standing up with their arms in the air? Those are my Orchard Hills kids. I love them so much. They give me hope in my abilities as a teacher, because they were so sweet, kind, loving, forgiving, and understanding. Teaching them during the month of March changed my life. I fell in love with teaching all over again. It's hard. I'm definitely not perfect, but seeing the light in the kid's faces lets me know there's no turning back. I am going to do whatever it takes to be the best teacher I can be. And I know the kids are going to help me along, because they're so awesome

But oh boy I'm overwhelmed!

Missionaries

2011-05-02T17:30:00.007-06:00

So, a lot of my really good friends are on missions right now; it's so great! Unfortunately I'm not the best pen-pal, but I just love that my friends are so awesome :) They are all fabulous missionaries, I'm sure!

I'm a little bit late on this, but Sister Mills is going to be an awesome missionary!! I'll miss her, but this is what she's been talking about since we were kids playing Barbies! Go Jan!!

And then there's Hannah, Noelle, Matt, and Mark! Yes, they used to be my desktop background. I love reading their weekly emails and blogs--Mark's especially, because he's such a hilarious writer. Cracks me up!

Last but not least, Elder B. (no, that is not him, but it's how I imagine he looked with a beard)! His emails kill me because he's hilarious, plus he's British, so I am constantly learning some new vocab. Like "chuffed." Just awesome!

I don't see a rainbow, do you?

2011-04-27T22:28:00.003-06:00

I feel like I'm treading water right where the riptide is the strongest.

"Death by drowning comes following exhaustion while fighting the river or ocean current...a swimmer in a strong rip...should relax and calmly float or tread water to conserve energy. Eventually the rip will lose strength and the swimmer can swim...away from the rip and back to shore." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riptide)

Huh, really? "Relax" really is the answer?!

Done! I think I can do that! After this Sunday.

How I'm feeling...again.

2011-04-25T13:55:00.003-06:00

"It's knowing what they want of me that scares me. It's knowing having followed, I must lead. It's knowing that each person there compares me to those in my past whom I now succeed. But how can whatever I do for them now be enough?"

Luckily, the EQP and I kinda feel as though we've been prepared to serve together in this capacity. And, as he says, we're going to hit the ground running on this. We spent last night talking strategy and we're ready for the game to start. Tomorrow night we'll hit the court.

I just hope that I can be loving and compassionate!

"I know expectations are wild and almost beyond my fulfillment, but they won't hear a word of a doubt or see signs of weakness. My nigh on impossible duty is clear. If I can rekindle my ancestor's dreams, it's enough."

Done. Finished.

2011-04-19T17:12:00.007-06:00

I'm pleased to announce that I am finished with finals and with my undergrad coursework (with the exception of children's lit, which I am currently taking through independent study...)!

It definitely feels weird--I think it was just yesterday that I finished my first official day of college.

Yep! There I am, on my very first day of college!

And here I am on my very last day of finals. I'm leaving the BYU Cougars to becoming a full-fledged Orchard Hills Cougar! Wooohoo!

(I won't technically graduate until April 2012, so stay tuned for that...)

I have loved studying at BYU, and while I'm excited to teach this fall, I'm a little bit sad about leaving my school behind. But I've learned so much, and had so many "life experiences" that have been added to my resume...I'm grateful for my time at school.

And I'm ready to start this next phase of my life!

The Little Boy by Helen Buckley

2011-04-02T15:09:00.002-06:00

I am going to post a poem here, and it's a long poem, but it's worth reading. I'm excited to teach, but also feeling overwhelmed. But I know, I am going to do everything in my power to avoid being the first teacher in this poem.

Also, I think I am going to make a separate blog for teaching, and I'll probably make it a private one just so I will feel more comfortable posting about my experience as a teacher. Soooo if you want an invitation to that blog, seriously just let me know, because if I know you I probably trust you, and I'll not have a problem granting you access to that blog :)

And now...the poem.

"Once a little boy went to school.
He was quite a little boy
And it was quite a big school.
But when the little boy
Found that he could go to his room
By walking right in from the door outside
He was happy;
And the school did not seem
Quite so big anymore.

One morning
When the little boy had been in school awhile,
The teacher said:
"Today we are going to make a picture."
"Good!" thought the little boy.
He liked to make all kinds;
Lions and tigers,
Chickens and cows,
Trains and boats;
And he took out his box of crayons
And began to draw.

But the teacher said, "Wait!"
"It is not time to begin!"
And she waited until everyone looked ready.
"Now," said the teacher,
"We are going to make flowers."
"Good!" thought the little boy,
He liked to make beautiful ones
With his pink and orange and blue crayons.
But the teacher said "Wait!"
"And I will show you how."
And it was red, with a green stem.
"There," said the teacher,
"Now you may begin."

The little boy looked at his teacher's flower
Then he looked at his own flower.
He liked his flower better than the teacher's
But he did not say this.
He just turned his paper over,
And made a flower like the teacher's.
It was red, with a green stem.

On another day
When the little boy had opened
The door from the outside all by himself,
The teacher said:
"Today we are going to make something with clay."
"Good!" thought the little boy;
He liked clay.
He could make all kinds of things with clay:
Snakes and snowmen,
Elephants and mice,
Cars and trucks
And he began to pull and pinch
His ball of clay.

But the teacher said, "Wait!"
"It is not time to begin!"
And she waited until everyone looked ready.
"Now," said the teacher,
"We are going to make a dish."
"Good!" thought the little boy,
He liked to make dishes.
And he began to make some
That were all shapes and sizes.

But the teacher said "Wait!"
"And I will show you how."
And she showed everyone how to make
One deep dish.
"There," said the teacher,
"Now you may begin."

The little boy looked at the teacher's dish;
Then he looked at his own.
He liked his better than the teacher's
But he did not say this.
He just rolled his clay into a big ball again
And made a dish like the teacher's.
It was a deep dish.

And pretty soon
The little boy learned to wait,
And to watch
And to make things just like the teacher.
And pretty soon
He didn't make things of his own anymore.

Then it happened
That the little boy and his family
Moved to another house,
In another city,
And the little boy
Had to go to another school.
This school was even bigger
Than the other one.
And there was no door from the outside
Into his room.
He had to go up some big steps
And walk down a long hall
To get to his room.
And the very first day
He was there,
The teacher said:
"Today we are going to make a picture."
"Good!" thought the little boy.
And he waited for the teacher
To tell what to do.
But the teacher didn't say anything.
She just walked around the room.

When she came to the little boy
She asked, "Don't you want to make a picture?"
"Yes," said the lttle boy.
"What are we going to make?"
"I don't know until you make it," said the teacher.
"How shall I make it?" asked the little boy.
"Why, anyway you like," said the teacher.
"And any color?" asked the little boy.
"Any color," said the teacher.
"If everyone made the same picture,
And used the same colors,
How would I know who made what,
And which was which?"
"I don't know," said the little boy.
And he began to make a red flower with a green stem."

I am pleased to announce...

2011-03-30T22:00:00.006-06:00

...that I have been hired to teach at Orchard Hills Elementary School in Santaquin, Utah!! I'm so happy and grateful to have received this internship! I will either be teaching second or fifth grade!

Today was my last day teaching in the fifth grade class. Sad :( BUT! I will be teaching next year at the same school so I'll still be able to see the kids. :)

As a going away gift, a little girl in my class got me this awesome pajama set. I love it already.

They are Chip and Dale, if you couldn't tell!! Haha. How cute.

Also, I received this ring.

Fabulous.

Just a few things

2011-03-24T22:20:00.004-06:00

#1. Aside from the pain, the worst part about a broken foot is not being able to do any sort of meaningful exercise (specifically Zumba). I tried water aerobics today and pretty much failed...I am trying to be healthier! But it's hard when you can't put your foot on the ground.

Also, doing Zumba in a boot is TIRING and HARD.

#2. The second worst part of having a broken foot is driving. I have learned to drive wearing my boot, but it's hard because my right leg is pretty much immobile--I can't move my ankle to press on the gas, so I have to use the weight of my whole leg to press the pedal. And then I just control the brakes with my left foot. It's a little complicated.

#3. I LOVE TEACHING. And I LOVE fifth grade.

#4. Happy birthday Brent!!! We celebrated at Joe Bandido's last night...very fun and very good. Picture to come, possibly, if I steal one from Joel's facebook again.

#5. I love this baby. She belongs to someone in my home ward and my mom watched her a couple of days last week. SO cute!

What a cutie

2011-03-10T15:36:00.004-07:00

There are many reasons why I love teaching, and there are many reasons why I love the 5th grade class I'm in right now! Here is something way cute that happened today.

So, I have to be formally observed by my BYU professors once a week. Since this is the first week of practicum, my mentor teacher has been preparing the kids so they know that one day this week, I will be formally evaluated on how well I teach.

Today a little boy (we'll call him Taylor) walked in the classroom and said, "Miss Murray, is today the day that you get observed?" I said, "No, that's tomorrow."

Taylor breathed a huuuge sigh of relief and said, "Oh, good!" We were confused, so my mentor teacher asked him, "Why is it a good thing that Miss Murray isn't being observed today?"

"Because!" Taylor exclaimed. "I'm just not prepared today!"

It was so cute. I'm glad to know my students are helping me prepare for my observation :)

Some VERY good news!

2011-03-08T06:26:00.003-07:00

My best friend is getting MARRIED!!! Congratulations, Karlee and Brad!

Yay :) It's selfish of me, but I'm glad Brad had to work the night after he and Kar got engaged, because it meant I got to spend part of that way happy day with her! And don't worry, I cried like four times :)

Happy birthday, Spencer!!

2011-03-03T21:34:00.010-07:00

And happy belated birthday Dr. Suess.

So, in honor of Spencer's birthday, Davies leaving the team, and Mariel wanting FatBooth...I give you this post.

I'm signed up for an institute class. Spencer graciously goes with me so I don't have to go alone. Lately, though, we've been having a hard time going. Last night we decided to watch the BYU game! We wanted to cheer our cougars on to victory!!

Unfortunately, within the first 15 minutes we knew the game was a lost cause.

Sad.

We then began playing with our phones and my iPod. Mariel kept trying to get me to download FatBooth, but I was thinking: why do I want something that makes me look fat? Anyway, I could probably do that on my own.

Trying to look fat.

Eventually we were running out of things to explore on our phones, and the game was too painful to concentrate on (seriously, one of the cameramen for the game was texting me. If the camera guys are texting, you know the game is bad).

Soooo I did it. I downloaded FatBooth.

And here are the results.

Yeah...

My Quandary

2011-02-28T14:16:00.003-07:00

So here's the problem: I really want this hair.
But I am kind of loving growing my hair out. I can't explain how I feel, because I kind of like my length now.but I'm to the point where I want a change (no breakup this time, I just feel like something new!)!

I already know what my friends and family will say--don't cut it!!

But hair grows, right? Right?!

Also I need to color my hair on account of my genetics. I'm going gray. Every day I look in the mirror I see more gray hairs.

What should I do?!

This has been the weirdest day of my life

2011-02-16T21:31:00.002-07:00

Well, one of the weirdest days.

Buuuuuut I just love my Bishop Jensen, and I miss his insights and that ward so much. And I miss living and adventuring with Holly! She is the greatest friend ever.

I hope tomorrow is a fun day, but not a weird day, because I just don't even know what to think anymore!

Oh, boys.

2011-02-14T14:43:00.005-07:00

As with many of my stories, this may not be funny to you. But it is to me!

So, this story takes place last summer when I was serving as Relief Society president. We had ward council every Sunday morning at 7:30 and church started at 9. One Sunday I had a killer headache and did NOT feel well, but of course I toughed it out and went to the meeting and church.

After church, I went straight home, changed back into my pajamas, and got into bed. I hadn't even been laying down for five minutes before I started getting texts from the bishop and ward executive secretary (they were in the middle of a bishopric meeting). I really wanted to sleep but I was trying to be good, so I kept responding to their texts until finally I got one from the bishop that said, "Can you or Alex (EQP) just run over here and talk to us for a minute?" Well, I considered laying in bed and letting Alex run over and talk to them, but since the bishop's office was literally right next door to my apartment, I thought I'd better just do it myself.

*This is how close my apartment was to the bishop's office. If I was sitting on the couch in our living room, I could hear the bishop talking through the wall*

So, I got myself out of bed and trudged over in my bare feet and pajamas. I looked like death warmed over, I'm sure of it. I stood there in the hot office and they asked me questions for a while before the 1st counselor noticed something was wrong and said, "Um, are we killing you here?" I was like, "Uh yeah, I feel awful. I want to go to bed" and my lip probably trembled. They got all sympathetic and said, "Well, go back and get in bed! We'll let you sleep and ask Alex all the questions from now on."

I was very grateful, so I left the office and got back in bed. Five minutes later...they were texting me again. I don't think I went back to sleep that day.

Oh, boys...maybe they just really needed a woman to sort everything out for them.

Four for all forever from now on!

2011-02-08T09:20:00.002-07:00

From now on we are joined, and we shall not be parted! From this day on, it's all for one and one for all for life!

Together we will fight. Their battles will be mine.

It only takes a moment

2011-02-01T22:11:00.003-07:00

Today I drove past SC, which is funny, because it's been one year, and today I downloaded and started listening to Bon Jovi, whom I haven't listened to since our first date when "Livin' on a Prayer" was playing in the bowling alley.

Isn't it interesting how things can change so suddenly, so quickly?

"Then a prince, then a moment..."

One moment you meet someone in the gym...another moment, you decide you don't care.

And then, for the next year, you experience random moments where you question that decision.

But then a plane crashes, the plane that could have been his, and for that moment you feel all the old anxiety.

"One peculiar, passing moment..."

And the next moment you see him driving down the street wearing a white shirt and tie. And you remember all the moments, the good ones and the bad ones, and you're grateful for those moments. Even though you did throw them away.

"Let the moment go. Don't forget it for a moment, though."

Triple Birthday Bash!

2011-02-01T09:05:00.004-07:00

Well, I stole this picture from Joel's facebook, but since I'm in the picture...I think it's okay to steal it :)

We had a triple birthday bash on Saturday for Adam, Brad, and me! It was way fun and way good--Malawi's pizza in the Riverwoods...plus, for every meal bought they donate a nutritious meal to an orphan in Africa, so you can kinda feel better about eating out :)

I love these friends so much! Joel, Karlee, and Brent came to celebrate with us and even bought our pizza--how nice! They're all just the best!

Okay...so if you only see Joel, Adam, and me in the picture...click on it to see the whole thing. I don't know what is happening with my blog!

BORED

2011-01-27T13:01:00.003-07:00

I am currently BORED out of my mind.

So. Can I just say how much I still love this picture?

Beauty and the Beast Cast Reunion Party 2011!! Lookin forward to it.

PS: Weird...it doesn't show the whole picture...oh well!

Is it just me, or...

2011-01-26T18:14:00.001-07:00

...does my dad kinda look like Elvis?

Cute old man

2011-01-24T08:22:00.001-07:00

This man on the McKay School of Education homepage just made my day!

PS: He's speaking at devotional on Tuesday.

Photo credit: http://education.byu.edu/news/2011/01/20/gibbons-to-give-devotional-address/
Inspirational credit: Anna Murray

Feat of Awesomeness

2011-01-13T08:53:00.003-07:00

Well, this is how Spencer and I entertained ourselves for a brief moment during institute--we balanced things! Don't worry, we still paid attention...

Dating Don'ts: Part 2!

2011-01-06T18:49:00.003-07:00

I know, I know...the moment you've all been waiting for!!

4. Don't accuse your date of being racist on the first date--especially not on a blind date.

5. Don't fall asleep in the car on the way home from a group date and fail to walk your date to her door.

6. Don't break up with your date in the middle of the Cougareat or BYU Bookstore.

Click here to read Dating Don'ts: Part 1!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T16:54:00.004-07:00

Love, the Murrays

It really is the most wonderful time of the year--time to be with family and to celebrate the reason for our lives, our faith, and our blessings.

Photo credit: Jeselyn Peery. She's awesome--look her up on facebook.

Photo idea: Woodward family. They are also awesome!

One time...in Costa Vida...

2010-12-16T22:02:00.004-07:00

I'm considering renaming my blog "Egocentric Speech", because that's what it is. I love posting random things no one (but me) cares about. Here is another one of those things. For some reason, this facebook thread is cracking me up.

PS: If you want to read it, you have to click on it. And if you don't get it, or think I'm weird, don't blame me--it's your fault for reading this blog. But I know that two years from now I'm going to read this post and think, oh my gosh, that was the most hilarious thing. So there.

The airport!

2010-12-15T10:23:00.003-07:00

I love the airport!! (I know, I know...people who know me are thinking, what? Natalie? Airport? Isn't that where they keep, Heaven forbid, airplanes?)

Yes, it's true. "Let me repeat, therefore emphatically..." I love the airport (especially when I'm not getting on a plane, although I did have a very successful couple of flights this summer...with the help of Xanax. Anyway...)!

I love how diverse it is. I am a huge people watcher, and at the airport you can just sit and see people from all walks of life! I love it. I love guessing where they're going, who they're going to meet, etc. Plus I love the excitement of travel!

But the best part about the airport is picking people up! I love going and sitting at the bottom of the escalator, waiting to see first the feet, then the legs, then the torso, then the head of someone I love.

It is so fun!!

If life was a man, he would be my husband.

2010-12-14T13:06:00.004-07:00

Why? Because I like life!

I love Christmas so much. My very favorite Christmas movie is Scrooge with Albert Finney (my dad prefers A Christmas Carol with Alaister Sim, but I digress...)

I love the part where Scrooge changes. I think it is so touching--it always makes me want to cry. And a lot of times I feel like Scrooge, when he realizes that everything is right in his life--and he loves it!

Pringle: Mr. Scrooge, what has happened?

Scrooge: What's happened is perfectly simple, Pringle--I've discovered that I like life!

Awwww :)

2010-12-08T21:18:00.001-07:00

So proud of those Siebert boys! Mark and Matt, rock Taiwan!

Exhausted

2010-12-05T17:53:00.006-07:00

Exhausting work. Some days I want to quit, but I know I can't...this is the friendship I have chosen, and the work that was specified in the 3 year old and since abandoned contract. Regardless of what has happened, I'm holding up my end of the deal. I always will. Even when I tell myself Stop. It's too hard to maintain this. Think of yourself. The situation presents itself and I can no longer think of myself, only of saving the day. I think I'm in this until the death. Sometimes I remind myself of Katniss. Only thinking of saving one person...because they saved me the first time around.

On a related note, I need to learn how to cry on command. I've got a feeling we'll only be able to pull the I'm-angry-let's-talk-outside-routine a couple of times. But if I know how to cry and make a dramatic exit...that would be perfect.

PS: Things are cryptic. DEAL WITH IT. If you can't handle it, don't read my blog :)

Please Appreciate

2010-11-29T12:24:00.005-07:00

I got this drawing in the mail the other day and, hello, how can looking at this wolf NOT make your day? I laughed for like five minutes.
But now I am asking myself...what is so funny about a wolf? Maybe it's because I didn't expect it, or maybe it's simply the fact that the caption to this wolf said: "I tried to draw a wolf, but it looks like a pig. Maybe it should be called a wig?"

I think this is bad news

2010-11-25T21:21:00.004-07:00

So on Monday, I took a math test.

Unfortunately, I was very sick...too sick to concentrate. I think I spent half my time in the testing center staring at other people.
The next day, I couldn't even remember any of the problems that were on the test. Except I do remember the method I used to get one answer and...I think I did it wrong. Hmmm--somehow, this does not sound good. Oh well! Every college student needs to take and fail at least one test on account of sickness....right?

I miss this

2010-11-23T20:02:00.003-07:00

So peaceful...you could just walk, and listen to the Mississippi river, and get lost in your thoughts. I love Nauvoo.

I could NOT resist

2010-11-20T12:53:00.002-07:00

I've already posted this picture on my blog, but I had to repost it. How could I not? My grandfather hates dressing like Santa Claus (as this picture clearly shows).

Oh, and shameless plug--go see Christmas Carol at the Hale. If you have never seen it there, you have no clue what you are missing. Plus, Chris Brower is playing Scrooge again this year!! Fantastic show, fantastic music, fantastic cast, fantastic director (if I do say so myself...). Seriously. You. Will. Love. It.

TDF. For real.

2010-11-20T11:09:00.002-07:00

This artichoke dip recipe courtesy of my ever fabulous Aunt Kathi.

This blog post especially for the dears Erin Despain and Kaitlin Hansen.

1 one pound can of artichoke hearts (cut up)

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Dash of garlic salt

Mix everything together, place in casserole dish.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Eat with crackers, tortillas chips, etc...you will not be disappointed!

Hi, my name is Natalie...

2010-11-17T21:07:00.004-07:00

...and I'm a teacher.

I cannot tell you how gratifying it is to say that I'm a teacher (I know, I know I'm not an actual teacher yet--but I have been teaching the past few weeks, and I've learned a ton!! Mostly that I want nothing more than to have a class of my own). I love going to the store and buying supplies for my lessons, and telling the clerk, "I'm a teacher".

The thing about teaching is that it has been my dream for years. A few months ago I was not very happy, and I was praying that I would be happy even though my "school girl dreams" weren't coming true, and then I realized--my school girl dreams are coming true. I am doing everything in my power to become a teacher (which I want more than anything), and it makes me happy that I'm working on achieving my goals.

Yeah, I'm just happy about this.

Dating Don'ts: Part 1

2010-11-12T15:33:00.005-07:00

I think it's safe to say that I have had a lot of awkward dating experiences (don't get me wrong--I have had tons of amazing dating experiences as well, but for some reason the weird one are the most fun to remember--after time has passed, of course...). I could totally write a book on dating do's and don'ts. Maybe I will include a list in TSY...or maybe the experiences in TSY will speak for themselves. Anyway, I will now begin a list of dating don'ts. All my rules are put in place from personal experience. I know what I'm talking about.

1. In general, if you don't even know someone's middle name, you should not be kissing them.

2. Do not date your TA.

3. Do not tell your date she's "a lot more normal than you thought [she] was gonna be."

To be continued...

Obscure guys I like

2010-11-11T18:27:00.001-07:00

Ahhh....the Winter Warlock. Remember the part when his heart melts like ice? I love this man.

Tidbits

2010-11-07T21:37:00.005-07:00

Hmm. I know that nobody really cares for the useless blogs I post, but actually--I care about them! Because two years from now I'll read this post and think, yeah, that was a fun weekend! I'm so glad I blogged about that so I can remember it.

So on Friday we went to Ruby River. It's connected to some hotel, so while we waited for our table we sat in the hotel lobby. Don't worry, the whole BYU football team was there. Bronco even made an appearance. We tried to take a secret picture but it was a little too obvious. But a football player's wife called us 'nothings'. A little baby tried to wander into the area we were sitting in and her mother said, "Oh sweetie, there's nothing over there" to which my friend replied, "Oh yeah, we're nothing? Cool. Cute baby though." It was pretty fun...except for the part where I had to go home and finish a paper that was due at midnight. Sent it, forgot about it, and all is well!

I guess the only other item of note is that Friday I wore jeans for the first time all week. It felt oddly comfortable.

Oh,and I'm cutting my hair tomorrow. Does that surprise you? It shouldn't, if you follow my patterns of behavior. Perfectly normal! I cut my hair at the funniest intervals. Ha. I guess it's typically been once a semester, actually...for my whole college career. Huh. Funny!

Must read

2010-11-04T20:14:00.002-06:00

The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket.

"Perhaps I should just bury myself and become a diamond after thousands of years of intense pressure."
--The Lump of Coal

The highlight of my day

2010-11-02T17:02:00.003-06:00

Kinda lame when the highlight of your day comes at 6:30 in the morning, but...you take what you can get, right?

I laughed for like 5 minutes after I read this in an email. I know it probably isn't that funny, but to me, at 6:30....it was hilarious. Plus the author is British, which for some reason makes it even funnier.

"But hey, there's lots of cool things happening soon, like Christmas and the...Millenium?"

Great. Now I really have something to look forward to.

Practicummmmmmm

2010-11-01T17:11:00.004-06:00

It's true that the only thing younger grades can reach is your backside. So, to get your attention...it's like poke, poke, poke... Um, excuse me?! Definitely something I need to get used to, because it's weird.

Also, I taught today. My teacher observed. At the top of her observation sheet, she wrote "Natalie's 1st lesson=Fantastic!" Okay so hello, can it get better than that? She said I was way above passable. Thank goodness. I'm good at something! Unless it was a fluke. That would be bad.

One more thing: my class has a Monson. Jenaca's class has a Hinckley. Too funny.

We are...the Barnett Bulldogs!!! (It's from their school cheer that I don't know, but had to lead today. Yeah, that was awkward)

Careless and unthinking, I moved onward.

2010-10-31T13:56:00.005-06:00

And in my twisted face, there's not the slightest trace of anything that even hints at kindness. And from my tortured shape, no comfort, no escape. I see, but deep within is utter blindness. Hopeless, as my dream dies. As the time flies--love a lost illusion. Helpless. Unforgiven. Cold and driven to this sad conclusion...

Let the world be done with me.

The babe

2010-10-28T20:37:00.004-06:00

Well, the babe and I have been together since June 2009. I watched him learn to walk, talk (in English and Spanish), and sing new songs. I taught him the word "no" (whoops). I watched his imagination develop. I saw his love for bells and bears grow. We wandered through museums together. We watched many bowling games.

I looked forward to seeing him every day, and he was always happy to see me as well. We had many adventures together. I've held on to that babe and cried sorrows away more than once. He was always the first person I told when good things happened. We love each other.

Stupid practicum.

The babe just called me and we had a good chat. It was his bedtime, but after about ten minutes it became apparent he wasn't going to hang up the phone. It was up to me to say goodbye and just hang up.

The hardest part was that he kept saying, "tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, bells tomorrow" and I had to tell him, "No, later, we'll see each other later". I don't want him to think I've abandoned him! I don't want him to forget about me. Because I'll never forget him!

Positive Reflection

2010-10-21T21:21:00.005-06:00

I have had a hard week. For tonight's blog, however, I decided to try something called "positive thinking" (if you have had a hard week, like me, you may need to look up the definition--www.dictionary.com).

Two things saved my day.

The best thing about my day: lunch with Jarom.

The second best thing about my day: having a whole bag of chocolate kisses in my backpack. All to myself.One more bright thing: we finally received our practicum placements (practicum starts on Tuesday). I am going to be in a first grade classroom at Barnett Elementary! Whoo...wish me luck--I'm gonna need it!

I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T BLOG ABOUT THIS

2010-10-19T22:02:00.003-06:00

(Sidenote: Lately I have been loving the use of random, capital words. I know, I know, it's like yelling. Sorry.)

I can't even remember when this happened--sometime toward the beginning of this semester? I went to Lagoon with the Vogel's (it was so fun, by the way) and (are you ready for this?) I actually went on roller coasters. Yes, it's true. I, Natalie K Murray, went on Wicked, the white old one, and the Samurai! I can't remember if there were any other scary ones. AND I didn't even cry (although I was close to tears right as Wicked started to move down the track).

It felt great, not because I love the thrill of roller coasters, but because I faced a fear.

That's two fears I have faced within the past few months. I rode on an airplane without having a panic attack (I actually loved it) and I went on some scary rides! My life is seriously changing, because now I realize that I can do hard and scary things. Yes!

Waiting in line for Wicked!

8 simple rules for dating my teenage daughter.

2010-10-05T13:04:00.006-06:00

This family:

Is actually very similar to my family (in terms of personality):

And we love them almost as much as we love each other. I can't even describe how much I love sitting with my family, watching the Hennessys. The best similarity is my dad and Paul Hennessy. Oh boy.

Paul's final article: "Okay readers, today we're having a little pop quiz, it's multiple choice, so sharpen your number 2 pencils and put your thinking caps on. Ready? Here's a quote: "Dad, you're an idiot." Now, contestants, this was said to me because of which of the following transgressions? A: Coming to the breakfast table wearing pajamas and black socks? B: Asking my oldest daughter if that guy I saw her talking to yesterday at school was her boyfriend? C: Referring to rapper Fiddy Cent as "Fifty Cents"? or D: Entering the room? Okay, pencils down. Actually it was a trick question. The answer is all of the above. Now do you know how many times I called my father an idiot? Zero. Why? Because I feared him. Back then we didn't share our deep personal feelings, our deepest conversations usually revolved around the tigers bull pen. But my kids, I can't get them to shut up! There's not a feeling that my kids are afraid to express over and over and over. And my wife reassures me this is a good thing over and over and over, and she's always right. So do I wish that my kids feared me? Well my house would be quieter, and I'd spend a lot less time in the bathroom, but no. Because I know that whenever they insult me whether it's a "You're an idiot," "You're a geek," or an "I hate you," an "I love you" isn't far behind. And it's the knowledge that my wife and kids love me that makes it safe for me to wear pajamas and black socks to the breakfast table."

A funny story about a caterpillar

2010-09-28T14:11:00.002-06:00

I don't know why the sound gets off. It bugs me. But you should still watch the video.

OH my day.

2010-09-24T20:41:00.003-06:00

So, due to personal reasons that would probably be TMI for most of you faithful fifteen, yesterday I had a killer headache. No, seriously....it was bad. I get headaches a lot, but every once in a while I get this awful migraine that varies in intensity but is always super bad. Yesterday wasn't one of the worst migraines, but it was bad enough that I felt like throwing up all day and by the time I got home from work at 8pm, my eyes couldn't focus anymore.

SO doesn't it sound lovely? Like I said before, I got home at 8. I still had to do a lot of reading for my class and write a paper, but I could barely stand I was in so much pain. I decided to go straight to bed, and told myself I'd get up at 4 to finish (but first start) my homework.

I went to bed at 8:30...woke up at 2am, tried to go back to sleep but couldn't. I finally got up at 3, did my readings, and wrote a 3 pg. paper (it took my like 30 minutes, which was fantastic. Inspiration about classroom rules apparently just flows at 3am!). Then at 4 I was miraculously finished with my homework, so I took an hour nap, got up at 5, showered, and did last minute preparations for my 8 o'clock class.

Then after work today I took my math test. Not even kidding...today has felt like a very long day.

Happy birthday, Jarom!

2010-09-21T23:45:00.001-06:00

He's the best. Seriously.

Belated Special Guest Vlog!

2010-09-13T18:49:00.002-06:00

Don't you wish you'd go on forever?

2010-09-11T09:44:00.001-06:00

And you'd never stop? Oh...Curly!

In the words of Plato

2010-09-07T19:52:00.004-06:00

So here's the honest truth (or rather, the truth as I see it): being an El Ed major means getting a lot of flack. Please know that no, I did not pick this major as a "fall back" just so I can breeze through college, get married, and have kids (honestly, the El Ed major it NOT a breeze. No, it isn't ChemE but it's not easy. Have you ever thought about learning all subjects so well you could teach the intricate basics to children who can't even write their own name?). I picked this major because I'm passionate about helping kids, about seeing the connections that are fostered in school. Not only academic connections but social and emotional connections. Is that wrong? Does that mean I'm a flighty, silly girl? "What I do-what I choose to do-may be dumb to you, but it's not to me. Is it dumb that they need me there? Is it dumb to care? Because I do, you see."

So before we move on to Plato, here are two quotes from the Readers' Digest that I liked, on the subject of education.

"If we teach small children, don't tell us that our jobs are "so cute" and that you wish you could glue and color all day long."

"We take on the role of Mother, Father, psychologist, friend, and adviser every day. Plus, we're watching for learning disabilities, issues at home, peer pressure, drug abuse, and bullying."

And NOW for the wise words of Plato.

"Power and capacity of learning exists in the soul already...the instrument of knowledge can only by the movement of the whole soul be turned from the world of becoming into that of being...and must there not be some art which will effect conversion in the easiest and quickest manner?"

And that, my faithful fifteen, is what I'm doing. I'm perfecting an art to help those around. Those dear, sweet, souls who haven't quite gained the ability to change their lives on their own. First they need scaffolding and love and support. It's an art. Changing people's lives is an art, and I'm going to be a Van Gogh.

So...there!

Update

2010-09-02T11:29:00.005-06:00

So, more than a year ago I posted this. Now time has passed and I have some additional information. That summer was a pretty good one...

...but this summer has been the best of my life. Yeah. Take that, 2007.

PS: I could have used a different picture of us at the rodeo, but for some reason I really like my dad in the background sticking his finger in my ear.

On the Plane

2010-08-01T15:42:00.001-06:00

The night Katie Linn was born

2010-07-28T18:11:00.001-06:00

3 for 3!

2010-07-23T10:18:00.001-06:00

July 22

2010-07-22T14:24:00.001-06:00

My first "Vlog"

2010-07-21T19:40:00.001-06:00

The only reason I did this was for Dad.

My Sunday

2010-07-19T14:13:00.003-06:00

On Saturday I worked until about 1:00am. Got home at 1:45, got ready, finally got into bed a little after 2.

Got up at 6 to get ready for ward council.

At 7:30, I trekked up to the Benson with my presidency and half of the Elder's Quorum. Guess what? No meeting.

Got back to my apartment at 7:45, slept until 8:15. Went back to the Benson.

Sacrament meeting was good! Skipped Sunday school to talk with the bishop...and the stake relief society presidency...and the stake presidency...and Brother Winters. Talked about my move, and my membership records. Reached no conclusions.

Called my mom, started crying. Pulled it together in time for 3rd hour. Decided what to do.

Relief Society was also great. Went home, had a meeting at 12:30. Went visiting teaching at 1:30. Went to my parents house at 2. Slept until 4.

BAD MOOD

Refused to harvest, or help with shake n bake. Set the table, though. Sniped also.

Had chocolate. Felt a little better. Went to my grandparents. Better still. Jarom came over. Best yet. Good ending to a....not so great day.

A touch of nostalgia

2010-06-27T14:25:00.002-06:00

From summer 2007

Book Review!

2010-06-23T20:55:00.005-06:00

I absolutely loved this book. It was charming and heartwarming and...blah blah blah. A woman at work lent it to me and I just loved it. I should probably practice writing book reviews, because this is not the most informative one ever. It takes place during WWII and is written as a series of letter between an author and people living on a small island called Guernsey. It is so good! The feel kind of reminded me of Anne of Green Gables. Anyway, enough with the verbosity. Read it, love it, cherish it. I already do!

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Two Missionaries

2010-06-21T21:30:00.002-06:00

Elder Orr leaves for Washington at 5am tomorrow morning, but Sister Bates still has a few more weeks. These two are going to be the best missionaries! Seriously.

Sister Vella

2010-05-22T16:06:00.003-06:00

I was going to write a blog about Aspen Grove, but I don't really feel like it anymore. I've been thinking a lot about Sister Vella and I want to talk about her. The problem is that I'm not eloquent-and I think we all know that-so bear with my inadequate scribblings about a wonderful woman.

At first Sister Vella may have been hard to get along with because she has a very brisk, no-nonsense personality. We were talking about it the other day and my dad said, "She acted like she knew everything, but...she really did!" And it's true. Sister Vella knew everything. Speaking of Sister Vella, someone said, "If you didn't love her, then you didn't know her." I don't think there could be a better phrase. If you really knew Sister Vella, you would know how generous, kind, and loving she was.

The more I thought about Sister Vella, the more I realized what she has done for me. I didn't see her a lot-especially after they moved-but she still impacted my life through serving my family and specifically my mom.

She would frequently bring over half of whatever food she made for her family. We always had a jar of Sister Vella's soup in the fridge. My dad mentioned it in his talk, but our favorite thing was tomatoes with mozzarella cheese in vinegar. Yum! No one cooked as well as Sister Vella.
She made my Irish dance costume-and a matching one for my doll.
She made a new underskirt for my prom dress, so it would be long enough.
She came with me to Jarom's farewell so I wouldn't have to go alone.
She offered help and materials for my projects in school.

Besides all that, she was my mom's best friend.

Sister Vella loved babies, and I just hope she's in Heaven finding my children and helping to teach and prepare them for me.

I'm glad that Sister Vella can be at peace now, and not have to worry about any health problems. But we will miss her! I just hope that I can look to her example as a way to live my life. I want to be as generous and giving a person as Sister Vella was.

This is the truth

2010-05-13T21:57:00.003-06:00

And I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out. So, for the first half of this week I had a pretty awful attitude! I'm serious, ask anyone. Actually, ask Jarom. He'd know. I was sulky, and mean, and caustic, and sarcastic...yeah it was basically great.

So today I decided to put on a positive attitude before I left for work. I decided that I was going to smile more, complain less, laugh more, roll my eyes less. I did it. For half of the day I had to chant in my mind: "I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful..." (What About Bob) but it worked. I had a positive attitude, and I even survived the test....my Tell class.

Positive thinking works.

It also probably helped that I skipped one of my two hour classes. But I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful!

Random picture: we rode the bus!

I can do this!

2010-05-06T14:33:00.003-06:00

"It's knowing what they want of me that scares me. It's knowing having followed, I must lead. It's knowing that each person there compares me to those in my past whom I now succeed...

I know expectations are wild and almost beyond my fulfillment, but they won't hear a word of a doubt or see signs of a weakness. My nigh on impossible duty is clear. If I can rekindle my ancestor's dreams, it's enough."

Uprising

2010-04-08T17:17:00.002-06:00

Jarom took me to see Muse on Monday...and it was awesome!! The only problem was that both of us decided to not wear our coats, and it was snowing, so...we got soaked. But it was fun.

Also, sidenote: People like Macs more than they like me.

Really, subconscious?

2010-04-03T14:25:00.003-06:00

Me: Last night I had a dream that we had some huge family emergency and Dad, Grandpa Murray and I went to Japan to help out.

Uncle Kurt: Do you watch King of the Hill?

Me: No....

Uncle Kurt: Oh, because that is exactly what happens in one of the episodes.

Why can't my dreams parallel fairytale shows instead of shows like King of the Hill? Lame!

A very unproductive day

2010-03-29T20:38:00.004-06:00

I feel like my heart is breaking, but I don't know why. Is it because I thought I had what I wanted, but maybe I actually don't (have it, that is)?

And Mark and Noelle are already gone, and I miss them like crazy. I didn't spend nearly enough time with them before they left.

Banana squash, then, it wasn't goodbye-they're coming back. And we'll write. But I'm just curiously sad this evening.

Which means I haven't done any homework. Oh well. I just started reading Ender in Exile. So basically that's all I want to do. I probably will go read a bit now.

Brainstorming

2010-03-27T00:07:00.001-06:00

Today in VAEDU we did a brainstorming activity where we had to write down 100 things that had to do with us. Like...write down 100 things that are connected to you! Ready...go! If you didn't know, this is actually quite hard. I would write something down and then focus on that one thing and get sidetracked. So I got a lot of random things on my list. A few names appeared. I will now give a list of the names along with the brainstormed words that made me think of these people (if my sentences don't make sense it's because I'm tired).

1. MTC Bookstore, Elders, Jarom.

2. Theater, Irish, Janna.

3. Concentration camp, Nauvoo, Hannah.

4. Laptop, migraines, Gabe.

5. Scera, Orem High, Syd Riggs.

6. Paranoia, panic attacks, chemical engineer.

7. Chocolate ice cream, commuting, Doug Wright.

8. Store squad, talking, Finnegan.

9. Shopping, G2 pens, Grettir.

So...it's weird. And if you are on this list, don't read too much into the words that made me think of your name. Associations our minds make can be really, really weird and far out.

My boys

2010-03-01T21:37:00.004-07:00

They aren't really my boys. They would probably feel awkward if they knew I referred to them in such a manner. Oh well! We spent hours on end together, sitting in front of computers, making really yummy chocolate-caramel shakes, talking about our lives (well, I did all the talking), proposing to each other (I also did all the proposing), and just being silly and having fun. Oh, did I mention we had to make Frazil, write a novel, and have twig pencil contests? Sometimes I look back and think I didn't really like working at Aspen Grove. But then I remember that I loved being with my boys, and having adventures with my awesome roommates, and then I realized that I loved Aspen Grove.

Oh yeah, we also liked to frolic. Well actually, Brandon was the frolicker. After the closing show we would go into the store, keep the doors locked, and turn on Space Jam or Disney. Then Brandon would skip and jump around the store...yeah, fun.

But one time Ryan and I were closing (and we had a habit of taking a looooong time to close the store because we would just get talking, and laughing...). So anyway, one day it was pretty late and someone came to the door-it was probably Brandon. We were in the middle of counting our money so Ryan, as he counted his bundle of ones, began frolicking toward the door. As he frolicked, he threw one dollar bills like they were confetti.

We kept finding ones hidden in and under the candy displays for a few days. But it was really funny.

Okay, seriously?

2010-02-28T22:30:00.002-07:00

Today? Of all the days in the week...in the year...why today?

Oh, my life! It is wonderful and amazing, but complicated! Huh. I should never have challenged the year 2010, because it's giving me a run for my money. These chapters in TSY are going to be awesome! Please stay tuned for any further developments.