Farmering

I think I have gotten over the fact that there is snow on the ground and can finally blog.

I had a great time down in Lynndyl, Utah this past weekend. I drove down on Friday after work. Just leaving this valley is a vacation sometimes. It was a great drive. Very relaxing.

I visited my friend, Megan and her family. They are awesome. It was fun even if it didn't seem that we did all that much. Friday we ate and then went through drawers at her grandmother's house. Seriously, it was as if we were sifting through time as we were sifting through those drawers. The picture with all the things is of some of the treasures I found. My favorites were the Avon cologne that came in the car glass bottles. It reminded me of my dad's collection that was always on the shelfs in the house I grew up in. The ones at Megan's grandma's even smelled like the ones my dad had.

Saturday, I was able to go "farmering." Well, we actually didn't do anything to help the farm but we did explore, seeing the whole purpose of my trip was so I could see baby cows. Man, I love baby cows...they are so dang cute. I got to sit on a tractor and talk to cows which just brought me back to my childhood. I spent a lot of time on my grandfather's farm growing up and those are some of my favorite memories. I used to get up at 5am to go help grandpa. I called this "farmering." Megan had a fun time driving her dying car around their farm. One of the pictures was taken as we drove through the weeds. What and adventure. I haven't laughed that hard in a while.

Another thing that reminded me of being on my grandpa's farm was the aluminum cup I got to drink water out of in Megan's house. My grandpa and grandma has lots of cups like that. Such a distinct taste drinking water out of one of those cups.

I love hanging out with Megan because we do not have to do anything to be entertained. Thanks for the fun this weekend, Megan.

Last night I also got to go to another Blaze game. They are now 0-6. I think I am bad luck seeing they are having the worst season ever and I just bought season tickets this year. Dang it! Oh well. It is still fun to go up to Salt Lake every once in a while with my friend, Anjai. She is cool!

Too Depressed to even Blog!

I cannot believe that it is a blizzard outside right now. It makes me sad inside. I cannot even blog about my fun saturday right now because I want to be alone in the dark eating Ho Hos. Maybe later today! That world's shortest video is a preview of my blog about my trip to Lynndyl, Utah. Check back later to view that amazing blog!

Just call me babe or sweetheart!

Not too much news today. I worked, I biked(enjoy the pics of me by Utah Lake...I do live in a very pretty place), I cleaned my bedroom, I went for a walk. Thrilling. Actually, laughing with a friend after our walk was pretty eventful but that is a whole different story!

So, here is a funny story from school this week. One of my students in Boys' PE referred to me as "babe" the other day. For some reason, that was very uncomfortable for me. I told him that I had two words for him: "Sexual Harassment!" He felt bad after I said that. The next day he said: "So, Alice, how do you feel about being called sweetheart?" I told him that I was sorry I was so hard on him the previous day and that I knew that he was just having fun and it was a term of endearment. The whole situation was silly and entertaining. We will see if he has any other creative terms to call me! This is one of my really good students and I know he is not trying to be weird or actually making it sexual in any way and so I think it is kinda cute.

I am glad for the weekend. It is going to be busy and go too fast. I don't like that part. Later.

Spring.....MAYBE?

Well, the flowers I planted over a year ago have started to come up. In fact, as my pictures prove, they are actually blossoming. I love that. I still am amazed how flowers work. These little bulbs that I buried in the ground just happen to sprout wonderful flowers each spring. It is awesome.

I was supposed to get my bike from the shop today, which made me very excited. Today was again warm and I had planned a ride this afternoon, but, with my luck, the bike was not done. The saddest part is that tomorrow it is supposed to rain or even snow. JUST MY LUCK!!! I was a little mad about it. SIGH.

I am really tired. I think I am tired of working. Good thing spring break is in a few weeks. I plan on going to Las Vegas and partying. Well, at least, partying as much as any Mormon girl can in Vegas!

Tonight I went to Gandolfo's with a few friends. So yummy. Then we watched Dan in Real Life. Apparently, I cannot get enough of this movie.

I should be sleeping. I think I might go do that now. I am glad the week is over half done. Summer really needs to get here. I also need some more bike time. I hope the weather will get nice again and I will be able to ride and ride and ride!

Life as I know it!

Today seemed to be an ordinary day. I think most days are this way. I guess I really wouldn't enjoy out of the ordinary anyway. It would freak me out.

Today I worked. It was mediocre. Lately, I feel as if I am not the best teacher on the planet. A lesson will go wonderfully in one class and then totally flop in another. Sigh, why can't it be perfect and wonderful everyday? Is it really possible to be burnt out when I just came off of a vacation? Seriously!

Tonight I babysat for my vice principal's children. I had a real good time. I sure do like kids. We went to the park, played with playdo(the pictures are proof) and watched Finding Nemo. Gabby was a very unhappy girl for half of the evening but overall it was still a good experience and I still hope to one day have my own children. That is always a reassuring thought after being around kids!

I like that it has been spring-like around here lately. It makes me feel less like sitting around in the dark, eating Ho Hos and crying alone in my apartment. I hope it will be nice after my bike gets out of the shop too. It looks as though I will have the bike for a day and then it will snow and rain. Depressing. Oh well. Spring will stay around one of these days.

Sunday!

Creative title, I know. Just a quick weekend update before I hit the pillow and end a pretty fun weekend.

Friday night my friend, Kristi, and I went to a Utah Blaze game(arena football). The Blaze lost their 4 game in a row. In fact, they have only played four games. Pretty depressing season so far. It was fun anyway. Kristi and I were pretty much zombies because the week was pretty draining but we still had a blast. We also went to my favorite restaurant, Su Casa.

Saturday, I did a lot of sleeping until 10:15am. Then I got up and walked to work and then graded for about three hours. I then walked back home and then showered and headed to Salt Lake again to go to the Utah Jazz basketball game. It was a great game. The Jazz were down by 11 at one time but came back and won. Much more luck that when we watched the Blaze. I went to this game with my friend, Anjai, and little brother(adopted of course!), Josh.

Today I slept and slept again and then woke up and ate and read and then went to church. After church, I went to the Bills in Sandy for dinner. I love real, free food. It was wonderful. It was a good Easter.

I bought myself a big bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs and that could have been a mistake but they really taste so wonderful. A little piece of heaven in each bite! :)

Well, better get to bed. I plan on walking to school tomorrow. Should be an adventure!

Bawlfest 2008

Yesterday, we had Challenge Day at our school.  It is hard to describe but it is basically a group therapy for everybody that goes.  It was cool to see my students actually get real and share their feelings with their group members.  The coolest part of the day was what they called "Power Shuffle."  Basically, all of the participants stand on one side of a line.  (there were 80 of us in this small space).   One of the leaders would then say a statement and then, if it applied to you, you would cross the line and go across the room behind another line and face all the people who did not cross the line.  Some of the statements were:

1.  Cross the line if you know someone who has attempted or committed suicide, or if you yourself have ever had suicidal thoughts.

2.  Cross the line if you have ever been told you were not good enough or that you are stupid.

3.  Cross the line if you have lost somebody that you love.

4.  Cross the line if you have ever been picked on or hurt by somebody in this room.

It was cool for the students to know that they were not the only ones going through tough things.  They also were reminded about how each person has worth and that we should be nice to all people, not just those we happen to like.  

My favorite part of the day was when one of my students came up to me and said:  "Alice, sometimes I complain about having your class twice a day and I say things like your class is lame, but seriously, you are my favorite teacher and I really enjoy having your class.  I am lucky to have you for a teacher twice a day."  I love that student.  He is truly one of my favorite students that I have taught in the last six years!  It was awesome to see all the students realize that their actions effect other people and to see them actually apologize to each other for things they have done to hurt each other.  I was reminded why I do the job I do and how lucky I am to associate with the future of our great country!

Challenge Day was a great experience.   Check out their website at:  www.challengeday.org

Another thing that I learned about myself is that I have a hard time sharing my feelings with people.  I especially have a hard time crying in front of people.  I was taught that I should not hold back those feelings because they are normal and that a good cry is how you let things out.  I need to be better about that.  I also need to not make fun of those around me when they cry because just because we are crying it does not mean that we are week.  I should not have picked on my brother about crying when I left Des Moines this weekend.  Sorry about that Bro!  Love ya!

Shamrock Shakes

Here is a picture of finished Shamrock Shakes. These fabulous treats are a great memory of my childhood. So frothy and minty, purely delightful. If I know people who have not experienced this treat, I must introduce them to it! Ben did not experience a Shamrock Shake from McDonald's until yesterday. I convinced him that they are, in fact, awesome! Another convert to the cause!

It is my last day in Iowa. Sad times. I think my brother is going to cry like my mother usually does. Should be interesting. Too bad I decided to wear eye make-up today. I am not excited to go back to work tomorrow. Do you think it would be a good day to call in sick seeing I just took three personal days? I didn't think so either! Sigh!!! Life is tough!

Well, I am going to enjoy a wondrerful dinner before I leave. I hope you all are having a fabulous day! Later, A

200

Happy Birthday, Erich! We celebrated by going bowling. It was awesomely fun. I actually bowled a 200. That is the best I have ever done and probably ever will. It was a momentous occasion in my life. I will cherish that moment for at least three days!

We also went out to breakfast this morning at Erich and Carmen's favorite cafe. It was great food. I even splurged and had a chocolate malt with my eggs.

True confession. I have drank soda while being here. At least I have not eaten candy yet to break Lent. Good thing I am not Catholic or I would be in trouble. Good thing.

Well, we are off to dinner for the birthday celebration. Yipee! I am having a blast.

Tourist in Des Moines

My trip into the city was very fun yesterday. The Iowa State Capital is quite an amazing building. I think my favorite part of the building was the law library. It felt like walking back in time to a really awesome library from the past. The second best part was going up into the dome part of the Capital. It was high up but it was beautiful. I loved going up the spiral staircase to that part of the building. The third best part was the little boy on our tour who was asking very smart questions about the Capital. He is every teacher's dream, or nightmare depending on who you are. I would love to have him in class. It would be much better than feeling like I can close my eyes and it would be as if I were the only intelligent life in the room.

After the Capital, my brother took me to the hanger. It was cool to see where his work is and to actually go into the plane that he flies all the time. It was way cool. He sure is proud of what he does and he should be. He is awesome.

He also took me to a bar and I had the most fabulous ruben sandwhich I have had in a very long time. Yummy! Utah just doesn't understand how to make a good ruben. Maybe it has to do with the whole not going to bars in Utah. Bars always have the best food.

Last night, I watched part of the third season of The Office with Ben. Actully, I prety much watched the back of my eyelids while Ben watched The Office. We then spent two hours in Walmart. I swear that place is like a time warp sometimes. Real excitement and I like the whole laid back kind of vacation. You do not have to do a ton of stuff to feel like you have been having a great time. Now I will go and enjoy more down time as I watch Dan in Real life. You should see that movie, if you haven't yet! It is good!

Dog Blog

Well, I made it to Iowa. It has been a great trip so far. I loved both of my planes here(seriously, they played episodes of The Office) and have spent some quality time with my brother and sister-in-law. They even took me to Red Robin. I am spoiled.

Those pictures are of my favorite dog. (Shhh...don't tell all the other dogs!) That is Pilot. According to my brother she is his "best friend" and "favorite girl." I am pretty sure my sister-in-law finds both of those real hilarious. Pilot is a sweetheart though. When I came home late from going to Perkins with my friend Ben, she came down from upstairs to make sure I was home and alright. I really like her. I wish I could have a dog like her, but I probably would get stuck with some mean dog that would bite me and my friends. It would also probably sniff crotches and be very embarrassing.

Well, it is off to sight seeing in Des Moines. The airport(with my brother of course!) to see the planes he flies, and then off to the State Capitol. Neither of us have ever been inside, so it will be a fun historical experience!

That is all for now. Have been just enjoying my mini-vacation and mostly sitting with my brother in front of the TV. We watched a lot of 90210 this morning. Oh, what an experience to look back to my high school days, when I would watch that show. Man, those were the days. Erich and I both decided we would like to go back to high school with the knowledge we now have being in our thirties. I told him it would still be lame because everybody else would still be little stupid teens. Oh well. Later!

Too Late!!

It is 11:25. I have to be out of my house at 5am. Why am I still awake, you ask? This is due to the fact that I am the world's biggest procrastinator. I even have a shirt that reads: "Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow." I just got done packing and doing a few dishes so I will be ready to leave and so that my house does not smell like a bacteria barn when I get home. Good times.

The week has gone fast. Can I get the next five days to slow down? I am worried that my time in Iowa visiting family and friends will go much too fast. I think when I get back I will like my students more. It seems when I am able to vacation from them, they seem much nicer to me when I get back. Maybe that is because they hate having subs and really do appreciate me for about five minutes when I get back from being gone. Hopefully, they will not murder my sub but really it isn't my problem. I am out of town. Go me!

Well, short due to the fact that I must try to get a few extra minutes of sleep.

Later,
A

Daylight Savings!

Man, anybody else having their butt kicked by this thing we call Daylight Savings? The past two days have been horrible. I can't get out of bed in the morning and really it is hard for me to actually get to sleep. We really shouldn't mess with our biological clocks this way!

The training I have been at the last two days has been good. I feel like I am reflecting on my classroom a lot and learning some stuff. The time has gone fast and I really have been thankful for free food.

Today a friend took me to Wingers for my birthday. Tomorrow a few more friends will take me. Quite spectacular to celebrate a birthday for pretty much a whole week! SCORE!

I don't want to work tomorrow. I guess I shouldn't complain. I only have to teach two times this week!

Later!

I AM a Keeper!

31 years. What a milestone! If you sensed the sarcasm there, they you truly are my friend.

The birthday was a bash to remember. Funny how birthdays seem less exciting the older you get. The pictures are from Red Robin. Man, I do love that place. It tastes good even on my birthday! My friends are awesome. They even bought me presents, which I never expect, but am always pleasantly pleased with. I made the jackpot as always. Not the Powerball winner like I would love to win; the prize is at 267 Million this week, but it will do!

I also was able to go to lunch with the librarian and walk a mile for The Red Cross. It was a busy and eventful day.

Sunday and today were less eventful. Today, I had a sub and only one of the classes was naughty. That is pretty good odds seeing there were 7 classes to deal with. The naughty kids will be re-taking their test on Wednesday, when I get back, unlike the good Health class, who will be able to have some time for relaxation. I like that idea.

The conference I am attending was great as always. I learn a lot of stuff about how to better teach language learners.

I guess I can tell you all about my trip to Iowa now, seeing my mother found out via my brother. Stinking brother! I am going to Iowa to visit my brother for his birthday. There may be some other motives for the trip...but I won't get into them. Pretty much I am treating most people like the paparazzi these days. You will have to wait for Star Magazine to get the real scoop, I guess. I will leave on Friday and return on Tuesday. Good times. I will have a sub for 6 of the next ten days. Kinda gonna be crazy in my classroom, but I really don't care. They will survive!

Well, that is it for today. I should be sleeping. (Seems like a common theme in this blog!)

Let the Festivities Begin!

Yesterday at work everybody was so nice to me and helped kick off my Birthday so well! Thanks all for making my birthday a fun day!  (even if it was only the day before my birthday.)

The highlight was my Barbie cake.  A co-worker heard me say one time that I never got a Barbie cake growing up and changed that for me at 31.  Thanks so much Sharri!

Today will be filled with walking a mile for the Red Cross, eating Red Robin and going to movies.  Should be my kind of day which is how is should be on my birthday.  Have a great day!  I know I will!

Brett Favre

A legacy has come to an end. Brett Favre announced this week that he will retire from the Green Bay Packers. I am sure that I just lost about 80% of you, but that is okay. This news really wasn't too much of a surprise to me. I actually thought it would probably happen this year. The news still is a little hard to take. Brett has led the Packers for most of my memory. I only can remember two of the Packers quarterbacks. Don Majkowski and Brett Favre. Majkowski was not the best quarterback and mainly I remember yelling at the TV in anguish at him. Favre, on the other hand, is unforgettable. I remember being in college and the Packers actually winning the Superbowl and being led by Brett. It was awesome. He holds most of the records for quarterbacks in the NFL. I think I was most impressed with the consecutive starts record. That man didn't even miss a game the day after his father died. Packer fans everywhere are going to miss our Brett Favre so much! Okay, enough with the sports tribute. The weeks is almost over. I am glad it is Friday tomorrow. It is the last day of me being 30. I totally should think of something that I have to do before I am 31. Tomorrow is a half day at school. We will get free lunch before we have to grade an essay test. At least there is free food! :) I think that is all I have today. It is still not spring yet. Why not?

Oh...The Small Things.

I do not have that much to type about today. This evening I have spent about 5 hours in front of the TV. Really, I just didn't feel like doing anything else.

Here is a funny thing that just made my day. As I was driving home from taking one of my co-workers home, I saw a woman walking down the street. It would have been enough just to see her in her coat that had a HUGE marijuana leaf on the back of it, but as I passed her, she totally tripped and almost fell. Yet again, proof that you should not use drugs of any type, and if you are using, you should not advertise it! It made my day! I wish I could have video taped it for use during my drug prevention unit in Health!

Fun with Paper Dolls!

A friend recently posted about all the things she hates.  Today I am going to blog about one thing that I hate.  This would be the swimsuit issue of my favorite magazine.  I am not even going to mention their name because I get so angered by it.  

Anyway, I do not understand why it is okay to send this issue out to every person who subscribes to the magazine.  Seriously, I am sure not all people want this issue.  I know that when a school gets sent this issue they are not excited at all to have it on their campus.  

Do we wonder why so many girls have problems with body image?  Do we wonder why so many women have eating disorders?  Well, I personally believe that lots of these problems stem from the media's lack of sensitivity to this subject.  I believe that our society has such a skewed vision of what women should look like because of magazines like this.  

Every year, I want to have a bonfire when this issue comes, but I feel that would not be smart for the environment.  The worst part is that I always bring my recycling to work and I do not feel okay with bringing this magazine into our school.  Dang it.  So, the copy has sat in my closet for about a month.  I really wanted to spotlight a picture from it with some clothes inspired by a night of making paper dolls with little girls.  I wish my issue of this magazine would have come with more clothes like this.  I hope you enjoy the pirate girl in her coveralls.  I sure enjoyed making it.  I also hope you enjoyed listening to me rant about this subject.  Carry on now!

No Photo?

Sorry...couldn't get the pic of me biking to post.  Envision it mentally! :)

Spring Yet?

Short little blog.

This is the last week of me being 30. Any suggestions on things I should do this week before turing 31? This birthday doesn't seem very exciting. Just another birthday and just a plain old birthday in Provo. NO big trip this time around. A year ago, I was getting ready to go to San Francisco. Man, I wish I was going somewhere warmer for this go round. SIGH!

Here is a picture of me biking at some other time in my life. I wish it were warmer here and that I could be doing that everyday. Today, I rollerbladed down by Utah Lake. It was nice, but still cold and not quite fulfilling enough. Oh well, give it a few weeks, I guess. March is much better for me so far anyway. I have a much better attitude already. I am sure my students appreciate that! I think that is it for today. It is late. Word!

Season Ticket Holders!

I am pretty excited because I have bought season tickets to the Utah Blaze.  They are the arena football team here in Utah.   My friend Anjai and I have talked about buying season tickets for a few months and we finally decided to bite the bullet and actually bought our tickets this last week.  Saturday was the first game and it was so much fun.  We started the evening off by going to my favorite restaurant, Su Casa.  After that, we took the Trax into downtown Salt Lake City.  Riding Trax was so convenient because it was snowing and the last stop is actually The Energy Solutions Arena, where the games are played. (it also proved to be entertaining as we got to interact with a few drunk guys on the way back from the game!) I had a blast with Anjai, even if the Blaze lost by one point.  The kicker pretty much screwed up two times to allow the loss.  Dang it!  It will be fun to be able to go to all the home games!

On Friday, I went to a co-workers and watched a movie with a bunch of people from work.  It was pretty much a blast.  I really am getting older, if I am totally okay with hanging out with a bunch of people who are pretty much old enough to be my parents!  :)

My friend, Moo, was in town and we did the usually shopping on Saturday.  Didn't buy much but, as usual,  we still had fun looking.  We also stayed up real late on Friday talking.  It was nice to hear all about her adventures in Rome.  She bought me some cool souvenirs.  One is a Rome t-shirt and the other is a priest calender.  Man, those Italian priests are pretty good looking.(I added a photo for your viewing pleasure.)

Well, that is it.  Nothing too exciting.  I hope you are all doing the March Dance.  I sure am!