Man, today was fantastic for a Monday. I don't think I've had a Monday this good in quite awhile. :) I got to watch Logan, and work with some students for 2 and a half hours, and I cooked for dinner group (which consisted of making a frozen veggie lasagna...I'm not normally that lazy, but man was it nice!)... Tonight a few friends are coming over and we're watching Kung Fu Panda. It should be fun - I only hope I don't fall asleep. Ha!
My weekend was pretty fantastic, too. It started off with skipping class on Friday afternoon. We're working on group lesson plans, and we were supposed to meet for that, but the other two group members and I decided we could spend our time more productively doing other things. After all, we all had to prepare for Saturday's test, right? So...I went home early, finished some assignments, bummed around, and took an AWESOME three-hour nap. It was fantastic! I'd stayed up really late the night before preparing for my History of Math lesson [I'm so glad that's finally over...], and I was tired. I was all resolved to study for a few more hours after my nap, then get all ready for my test and get to bed early. Fortunately, I was saved from my responsibility by my awesome roommates. We decided to go out for ice cream, then we had some friends over to play games. We played a few rounds of Whoonu, and just generally had a super fun time. Then the guys broke out the Nintendo... Awesome! They ended up staying til 1:30. I still had more studying to do, so I was up til after 2. It was great... :) But overall, my test on Saturday morning went well, and I feel confident in how I did. We'll just have to see in about four weeks, though...
Anyway, the rest of the weekend was pretty relaxing. We had Ward Conference on Sunday. The theme was Helaman 5:12, and it was a good reminder of the priorities and supports we need to establish in our lives. On Sunday afternoon, I had a few meetings. My AWESOME home teachers stopped by to say hi (If you read this Matt or Cameron, you guys are fantastic!), and my visiting teachers came to visit, too. It was good getting to know them and talking about the super General Conference talks. :)
Well, friends are getting here to watch the movie. I'd better peace out...
17 November 2008
13 November 2008
Waiting
I've been fairly overwhelmed lately. Schoolwork has been piling up, and it all just kind of exploded in my face earlier this week. On top of that, I've spent some time with some GREAT friends, and we've had some good, deep conversations about life. Which, you know, only served to have some deep thoughts and emotions surface. Like the fact that I'm graduating in 5.5 months and I have NO idea what I'm doing afterward. You know, no biggie. Ha! And I do realize that graduation isn't the end of the world - far from it, actually. But, honestly, I get so involved and so rooted in my schoolwork that I won't know what to do with myself when I'm expected to be even more responsible. Yikes.
BUT, I ran into a professor (whom I greatly respect and admire) yesterday. She told me, quite convincingly, that she'd really like to see me go to graduate school. It's been a thought I've been entertaining for a while now. The prospect of more school, however, makes me want to throw up a little bit in my mouth. I think it's probably the burn-out talking, and I know grad school will be new and different and a great experience - yadda, yadda, yadda-, but right now I don't know if I can stomach it. As far as other options go, I could always teach here in Utah. I could get a job at a local school, and stay in the area (I know Zac and Sarah are big fans of any plan that keeps me close...) with friends, family, and an abundance of single guys (Ha!). I could move back to New York and teach there (but the qualifications for licensure are a little more stringent there, so I'd have to jump through a few more hoops, take a few more tests, and be working on my Master's), though that option just doesn't feel right to me. I've also entertained the idea of going on a mission, but that doesn't quite feel right either. Hmm... I've got faith that it will all work out in the end, but right now my "natural man" is screaming at me to get my rear in gear and figure out my life and just go for it despite my other feelings.
I have to teach a lesson in my History of Math class tomorrow. And Saturday morning I have to take a big fatty math teaching licensing and certification test. It's four hours long, and starts at 7:30 in the morning. On a Saturday. That, my friends, is disgusting. Anyway, wish me luck! Put in a good word for me with the Man Upstairs...
In other news, I had to use brown chalk in my lab (I freaking LOVE my job. Seriously.) earlier today because it was the only chalk in the room. Brown chalk = dirty fingers = sicknasty.
BUT, I ran into a professor (whom I greatly respect and admire) yesterday. She told me, quite convincingly, that she'd really like to see me go to graduate school. It's been a thought I've been entertaining for a while now. The prospect of more school, however, makes me want to throw up a little bit in my mouth. I think it's probably the burn-out talking, and I know grad school will be new and different and a great experience - yadda, yadda, yadda-, but right now I don't know if I can stomach it. As far as other options go, I could always teach here in Utah. I could get a job at a local school, and stay in the area (I know Zac and Sarah are big fans of any plan that keeps me close...) with friends, family, and an abundance of single guys (Ha!). I could move back to New York and teach there (but the qualifications for licensure are a little more stringent there, so I'd have to jump through a few more hoops, take a few more tests, and be working on my Master's), though that option just doesn't feel right to me. I've also entertained the idea of going on a mission, but that doesn't quite feel right either. Hmm... I've got faith that it will all work out in the end, but right now my "natural man" is screaming at me to get my rear in gear and figure out my life and just go for it despite my other feelings.
I have to teach a lesson in my History of Math class tomorrow. And Saturday morning I have to take a big fatty math teaching licensing and certification test. It's four hours long, and starts at 7:30 in the morning. On a Saturday. That, my friends, is disgusting. Anyway, wish me luck! Put in a good word for me with the Man Upstairs...
In other news, I had to use brown chalk in my lab (I freaking LOVE my job. Seriously.) earlier today because it was the only chalk in the room. Brown chalk = dirty fingers = sicknasty.
08 November 2008
Amen Omen
On Thursday, I taught a class of 26 7th graders. It was only one class, only 45 minutes long, and their normal teacher was in the room (as well as my practicum teacher and two of my classmates), but it was still terrifying! I think it went well overall...though I'm sure their teacher had to do a lot of damage control once we finished our little unit on solving and graphing inequalities. But, even though it was hard and scary and nerve-wracking and I'm SO glad it's over, I'm glad for the experience. It seems like I go into things like this feeling so inadequate. Yet, I always look back and can see how I've grown and how I've changed. I can see how the Lord has blessed and prepared me, has given me the experiences and opportunities I need to have, and how He is guiding my life (even when I'm stubborn and think for some reason that my way is superior to His...). What a sweet blessing to have that guidance that I so need in my life right now!
Also, totally random awesome story: Today, I had TWO separate guys who, upon learning my name, told me I have a beautiful name (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) and then went on to talk about the city of Savannah, Georgia and how it's a gorgeous city. One of them was a guy in the class I TA (though he's not in the section I TA - he was just sitting by me during the big lecture), and the other was some guy who came to my door trying to sell magazine subscriptions. It just really made my day! :) I love the little things like that.
Anyway, I'd better go do something productive... Have a super day!
Also, totally random awesome story: Today, I had TWO separate guys who, upon learning my name, told me I have a beautiful name (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) and then went on to talk about the city of Savannah, Georgia and how it's a gorgeous city. One of them was a guy in the class I TA (though he's not in the section I TA - he was just sitting by me during the big lecture), and the other was some guy who came to my door trying to sell magazine subscriptions. It just really made my day! :) I love the little things like that.
Anyway, I'd better go do something productive... Have a super day!
We Might As Well Be Strangers
So, you know how sometimes when a friend or roommate goes out and you say something like, "Hey, have a good time! Remember who you are! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Well...Sometimes I say, instead, "Don't do anything I haven't done..." It doesn't leave much room for, well, anything. Ha! Anyway, that's what I was thinking when I saw this on a friend's blog. Thought it looked fun...
Bold the things you've done:
1. Started your own blog (Yes!)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (Kind of...)
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
That's 35 out of 99... I guess that's not too horrible. I'd like to travel more, do more, experience more. Someday, right?
Bold the things you've done:
1. Started your own blog (Yes!)
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (Kind of...)
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
That's 35 out of 99... I guess that's not too horrible. I'd like to travel more, do more, experience more. Someday, right?
02 November 2008
Fearless Heart
This is why I love my life:
-My family is fantastic.
-My roommates are awesome.
-Daylight Savings Time = An extra hour of sleep last night! :)
-Halloween was super fun...Not one, but TWO haunted houses. And totally talking to a cute BYU guy at one of them to boot.
-I got to spend an hour yesterday morning picking up walnuts with a contraption designed to pick up golf balls. Believe it or not, it was actually really fun. Kind of like treasure hunting, only for walnuts in a yard full of leaves. And I got a big bag of fresh-picked apples.
-I love my TA job. Seriously, I look forward to my labs on Tuesday and Thursday, and they never fail to make my day. Last week, I had two students in my office during one of my office hours, and one of them got so excited for me because the vending machine had the pretzels I sometimes get. Apparently he'd been in my office earlier that week when they hadn't had the pretzels, and I said something to him about it. When he saw I had them, he said, "Hey, they had your pretzels! Awesome!" And then, turning to the other guy, he was like, "See, I even know what kind of pretzels she gets." It was phenomenal. And, another one of my students brought me a granola bar and dinosaur fruit snacks (Yes, you should be jealous...) because I help him out with homework. I love the students in my labs - they're great! :)
-The "S" key on my keyboard has begun to stick the past month or so... This means that sometimes I accidentally type s twice instead of once, especially at the end of words. So, you know, sometimes when I type the word "as" it turns into something a little more profane. And, quite frankly, it makes me giggle because it's completely innocent.
-Last Sunday, Elizabeth went up to the canyon with a Melissa, Becky, and I, and she took some awesome pictures of us. The leaves were really pretty, and we were being total goofballs. Here are a few of my favorite shots:
-My family is fantastic.
-My roommates are awesome.
-Daylight Savings Time = An extra hour of sleep last night! :)
-Halloween was super fun...Not one, but TWO haunted houses. And totally talking to a cute BYU guy at one of them to boot.
-I got to spend an hour yesterday morning picking up walnuts with a contraption designed to pick up golf balls. Believe it or not, it was actually really fun. Kind of like treasure hunting, only for walnuts in a yard full of leaves. And I got a big bag of fresh-picked apples.
-I love my TA job. Seriously, I look forward to my labs on Tuesday and Thursday, and they never fail to make my day. Last week, I had two students in my office during one of my office hours, and one of them got so excited for me because the vending machine had the pretzels I sometimes get. Apparently he'd been in my office earlier that week when they hadn't had the pretzels, and I said something to him about it. When he saw I had them, he said, "Hey, they had your pretzels! Awesome!" And then, turning to the other guy, he was like, "See, I even know what kind of pretzels she gets." It was phenomenal. And, another one of my students brought me a granola bar and dinosaur fruit snacks (Yes, you should be jealous...) because I help him out with homework. I love the students in my labs - they're great! :)
-The "S" key on my keyboard has begun to stick the past month or so... This means that sometimes I accidentally type s twice instead of once, especially at the end of words. So, you know, sometimes when I type the word "as" it turns into something a little more profane. And, quite frankly, it makes me giggle because it's completely innocent.
-Last Sunday, Elizabeth went up to the canyon with a Melissa, Becky, and I, and she took some awesome pictures of us. The leaves were really pretty, and we were being total goofballs. Here are a few of my favorite shots:
18 October 2008
Over-Rated
Now...On to the update about life lately. School has been overwhelming. It's hard to believe it's halfway through the semester! My block class (Classroom Management) ends on Tuesday. I'm glad about that. It's been a really fun and interesting class, but that extra two hours on Tuesday evenings will be fantastic! I had a big paper due for that class last Tuesday. I decided late on Monday night that I should start it. Ha! I ended up staying up almost all night working on it. I did get an hour or so of sleep at least... But I think it turned out okay. Overall, it was 24 pages long - a cover sheet, an About the Author page, a Table of Contents, 17 pages of the actual paper, 3 pages of appendices, and one References page. Yikes! It was kind of beast to put together, but I'm finished! Hallelujah!
My other classes are fun, too, but still keep me extremely busy. I am taking two classes that are offered at the same time. That's a bit of a challenge only attending one of them (I have a fantastic friend in the other class who lets me copy her notes so I don't miss too much! Thanks, Cassidy!), but hopefully I'll be able to keep up with it throughout the whole semester... I'm also in a really awesome Church History class. My professor (Susan Easton Black) really knows her stuff. She's quite the engaging speaker, and lectures are never boring. I'm glad for the friends who encouraged me to take her class.
I'm also working as a TA this semester in addition to transcribing for the Calc Research. I teach two lab sections every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. We discuss homework questions, and I administer a quiz every Thursday. It's a really great job - I love it! I look forward to going to the lab sections, and it makes me so happy to have students come in to my office hour to get extra help! :)
Anyway, it's my last real semester of classes! How crazy is that? I've already applied for student teaching next semester, and for graduation in April... I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do after I graduate. I could stay in Utah and teach... I could go to grad school, or on a mission. I could move home and try to get licensed to teach in New York... Who knows? Right now, it's all up in the air. We'll just have to roll with the punches and see how that turns out.
In other news, I'm an aunt again!! Congratulations Matt and Erin on your beautiful daughter! :) Ella Michelle Steele was born on October 2nd, and she's a beautiful baby (from the pictures I've seen). I'm excited to meet her for the first time in December when I fly home for Christmas.
And...other recent happenings:
-Went down to Vegas for William's wedding three weeks ago! I loved seeing family, staying with cousins, and getting out of Provo. Thanks so much, Rachelle, for letting us crash at your place. :) I had a fantastic time!!
-General Conference was sweet. I ended up going up to the Conference Center for Saturday afternoon session with some friends from freshman year: Jeramy, Owen, and Mike. We had a great time! I love spending time with my freshman friends - they're great guys. :)
-This past week, most especially yesterday and today, I've been kind of sick. My stomach's feeling gross, and it's been no fun. I've lost my appetite and my energy. Hopefully things will get better soon! I can't handle feeling like this....Yuck!
-And...I was playing catch with a friend on Thursday afternoon. He threw the ball low, and as I stepped to catch it, it hit me smack in the foot. It hurt real bad, and I kind of rolled my foot awkwardly. I have a big fatty bruise on the side of my foot, and it's still a little sore to walk, but it's getting better. Oh well. It was fun to play catch at least...
Anyway, I've gotta go get ready for tomorrow (Saturday is a special day...) and finish up some homework for Monday. Have a great day! :) I can't promise I'll write soon, but I'll try!
My other classes are fun, too, but still keep me extremely busy. I am taking two classes that are offered at the same time. That's a bit of a challenge only attending one of them (I have a fantastic friend in the other class who lets me copy her notes so I don't miss too much! Thanks, Cassidy!), but hopefully I'll be able to keep up with it throughout the whole semester... I'm also in a really awesome Church History class. My professor (Susan Easton Black) really knows her stuff. She's quite the engaging speaker, and lectures are never boring. I'm glad for the friends who encouraged me to take her class.
I'm also working as a TA this semester in addition to transcribing for the Calc Research. I teach two lab sections every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. We discuss homework questions, and I administer a quiz every Thursday. It's a really great job - I love it! I look forward to going to the lab sections, and it makes me so happy to have students come in to my office hour to get extra help! :)
Anyway, it's my last real semester of classes! How crazy is that? I've already applied for student teaching next semester, and for graduation in April... I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to do after I graduate. I could stay in Utah and teach... I could go to grad school, or on a mission. I could move home and try to get licensed to teach in New York... Who knows? Right now, it's all up in the air. We'll just have to roll with the punches and see how that turns out.
In other news, I'm an aunt again!! Congratulations Matt and Erin on your beautiful daughter! :) Ella Michelle Steele was born on October 2nd, and she's a beautiful baby (from the pictures I've seen). I'm excited to meet her for the first time in December when I fly home for Christmas.
And...other recent happenings:
-Went down to Vegas for William's wedding three weeks ago! I loved seeing family, staying with cousins, and getting out of Provo. Thanks so much, Rachelle, for letting us crash at your place. :) I had a fantastic time!!
-General Conference was sweet. I ended up going up to the Conference Center for Saturday afternoon session with some friends from freshman year: Jeramy, Owen, and Mike. We had a great time! I love spending time with my freshman friends - they're great guys. :)
-This past week, most especially yesterday and today, I've been kind of sick. My stomach's feeling gross, and it's been no fun. I've lost my appetite and my energy. Hopefully things will get better soon! I can't handle feeling like this....Yuck!
-And...I was playing catch with a friend on Thursday afternoon. He threw the ball low, and as I stepped to catch it, it hit me smack in the foot. It hurt real bad, and I kind of rolled my foot awkwardly. I have a big fatty bruise on the side of my foot, and it's still a little sore to walk, but it's getting better. Oh well. It was fun to play catch at least...
Anyway, I've gotta go get ready for tomorrow (Saturday is a special day...) and finish up some homework for Monday. Have a great day! :) I can't promise I'll write soon, but I'll try!
Oh, what do you do in the summertime?
Hey guys! It's been awhile... So life lately has been okay. Summer was tons of fun. Pageant was phenomenal, and it was great to have Sarah and Logan in town for a few weeks. It was definitely weird not to have everyone in the family in cast though... The rest of July and August kind of dragged on. I was anxious to get back to Provo and back into my own apartment.In the middle of August, mom, Jon, Nic (my cousin), and I left town for Omaha and (eventually) Provo. We drove through the night to Nauvoo, getting there around 4:30 in the morning. We parked in the Stake Center parking lot and got about two hours of sleep in the car. We ended up walking around Old Nauvoo for part of the day, seeing the demonstrations and taking the little tours. It was really interesting, but Jon and Nic were frustrating. We got information about family members who used to live there, then left earlier than planned. We drove straight to Omaha, and it was nice to have a break there. We spent the night with Aunt Janele and their family. The next day, we saw the [tiny!] Winter Quarters Temple, and walked around the visitor's center and the cemetery there. We found (kind of) where one of our relatives is buried. That was a really neat experience. That night, mom, Aunt Janele, and I went out and got Mexican at a place called Hector's (I think?) - Yum! Late that night, we left Omaha and headed to Provo. We figured it would be better to drive through the night and get to Provo midday, and it worked great! Jon got tired after about an hour of driving, so I took over. Mom was completely out in the backseat, and Jon was snoring next to me. I had had a caffeinated soda, and was popping sugar candies in my mouth every 10 minutes, so I was wide awake (ask mom- she thinks I'm hilarious on caffeine...). I cranked the music and sang along, and all was well. Around 3 am, we drove through an awesome thunderstorm! It made me jealous that we don't get them like that in Provo. Anyway...It was great to finally get back to Provo and to my own apartment. I slept so well that night!
Summer ended well. It was great to be back with so many friends, to be able to have mom in Provo for a little bit, and to not have to stress about school for a little while. :)
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