Since I last blogged...

....I hiked to Square Top with my dad and brother. Pictures and more about that later.... 
....I purchased the supplies to build a new headboard....
....I got released from my calling as Stake Relief Society Secretary....
....I painted the walls of my new bedroom and started on the trim. In case you haven't heard, which is highly likely since I haven't broadcast it a lot, I'm moving in with Michelle and Michelle. Michelle B. bought a house in June and the other Michelle and I are moving in....
...I subbed twice. Subbing is some of the easiest money, especially when it's only half a day. :o)
.... and I discovered Katie Melua whose music I'm really liking.


This weekend I have the plans to....
....start building my headboard...
....paint....
....and support my Aggies for Homecoming 2010. 


Go Aggies!

Loved

Last night I had dinner with Nettie, Jean, Kristie, and Monica. The purpose was to have a final get-together for me and the presidency--as I've been released--and to welcome Monica, my replacement to the ranks of the Stake Relief Society. It was a great evening. We ate delicious food and had some great conversation. After dessert, which was so yummy, Nettie, Jean, Kristie, and Monica took turns saying what they love about me. It was very humbling and I feel so blessed to have served with such wonderful ladies in the Stake and to have. I know Monica will do a great job with her new calling as well. I'll miss getting together with the presidency and receiving hundreds of e-mails from Nettie each week, :O) but I'm also excited about the opportunities to serve with my new ward and stake. Before I left, they presented me with a beautiful painting of the Savior. I can't wait to hang it on newly painted walls! It is definitely something I will treasure always, along with my memories of a great evening. 

It's a great day to be alive

It's UEA break, which means that school is out so that teachers can go to the UEA Conference in Salt Lake, but most don't actually go and instead use the time for such things as shopping, or home improvement, or whatever else they want to do. For me it means a much-needed break from school, the chance to spend time with my family, and also the opportunity to get some things ready to be moved to the new abode. 

Day one of UEA break was today so my mom and I headed to the Tai Pan in Clearfield to pick up some cutsy decor. I got some fun Halloween stuff and some miscellaneous other things. It didn't seem like they had as much as they did the last time I was there so I didn't get all that I was hoping, but I still found some good deals. After Tai Pan, we stopped at the restaurant supply store so my mom could get a few things, then went to Target. We were highly disappointed in the Layton Target. We'd forgot that it was kind of a crappy one, and needless to say we didn't stay very long. A quick trip to Krispy Kreme filled our sugar needs and then we were off to Willard to the fruit/vegetable stands. I got some cute pumpkins, gourds, and Indian corn that will make great fall decorations, and my mom got some pumpkins, squash, and some fruit. Our final stop before heading back over the hill was Maddox. Both my mom and I had the chicken basket and it tasted sooooooo good. I love the Maddox drive in. It's FABULOUS!

Back in Logan, we went to Bennett's to get some paint for my new room and bathroom (woot, woot!!!) and then called it a day. We were pretty pooped from our drive and shopping but we had a great time! Now I just have to gear up for tomorrow's hike and Saturday's adventures with Michelle. Hear we go!!!

Nicholas Sparks

If you happen to follow my blog and actually keep track of the books I've been reading by sneaking a peek over here ----->
then you'll have notice I've been on a "reading hiatus". Well, that was the intent anyway. With everything that's been going on in my crazy life lately, I felt like I didn't have time to devote to reading novels for pleasure. However, it seems that the library fairies had another plan for me. Since posting my reading hiatus, I've had three books come available that were on hold at the library. Each book was one that I'd really wanted to read so I couldn't just pass on them. I took this as a sign that I wasn't really supposed to be on a reading hiatus and made sure to pick up my books before the hold expired. Book #1 was The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Yep, it's the one on which the fairly recently released movie was based. I really liked the book and now have the movie in my Netflix queue. Book #2 was The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I heart both The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, and this latest Robert Langdon saga did not disappoint either! I sure hope Opie (aka Ron Howard) makes a movie of this one....... And book #3 was Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. It's his latest novel and it was just great. I laughed and cried as I did through nearly all of his books which makes it a hit in my book. Haha, no pun intended. :o) Upon the completion of Safe Haven, I checked off the last of his works on my "to read" list. I've now read all of his fiction books. I enjoyed each of his books for different reasons and each of the stories were unique but very similar at the same time. After having read Three Weeks With My Brother, one of his non-fiction pieces, I gained a new understanding of where his inspiration comes from and it seemed to add just a little something extra. I guess what I'm trying to say in all my ramblings is that I really like Nicholas Sparks books. They're quintessentially chick books but that's one of things that makes them great. Plus, I'm not the only one in the family who reads 'em. My sis-in-law Sheila devours 'em just like a do, which I think is fabulous!

Friday Musings

Just a few thoughts on this Friday:
*As I walked into school this morning, I realized that I love education! Of course I want my own classroom and to be able to teach history and/or geography but what I'm doing right now is tiding me over quite nicely.
*In conjunction with my above feeling of happiness about education, I think I've narrowed my prospective course of study for a master's to two areas: Secondary Education or Second Language Teaching. My decision will depend on what happens in the next year and a half or so.
*I'm excited about the recent change in the weather. I love fall! (See this post: Happy Fall 2010!!!)
*I have so many things that I need to do but surprisingly don't feel completely overwhelmed. Could it have something to do with taking the time to go to the temple yesterday? I think so!
*I'm super excited about all that is happening this month: New Job, Moving, USU Homecoming, Halloween, etc, etc, etc...
*I thought about this song this morning: I Saw God Today
*Then when I YouTube'd (apparently it's a verb too) the afore mentioned song, this popped up too:You're Gonna Miss This
*And this: My Little Girl


Happy Friday!

Education

Tonight I started a new job wherein I work with the Adult Education Program in the Logan City School District. I primarily took the job so that I could get my foot in the door with the Logan District in the hopes of getting a teaching position sometime in the near future. My duties include checking to make sure assignments are complete, grading math assignments (Pre-Algebra which I took in 6th grade) and helping the students do their math. The students are folks who've gone back to school to get their GED's. 
As I left tonight, I reflected on how grateful I am for the education I received. I know it could have been better and I could have worked harder but I really can't complain. It's opened doors for me and helped me to get where I am. I'm also grateful for parents who were/are real parents and not just names on my birth certificate. They truly care(d) about me and want(ed) the best. 
A good education puts the world in your hands and you can do anything you set your mind to. I know I sometimes complain that I don't have enough but tonight helped remind me of what I really do have in my life. 


Now for that legit teaching job.... ;o)

General Conference

I heart General Conference. I think of it as church on steroids. :o) It is so wonderful to be able to sit and listen to two days worth of inspirational messages. I am always on such a spiritual high after the weekend is over, even if I have a list of things I need to change in my life! I'm thankful to be part of a church that provides such wonderful opportunities to learn from prophets, seers, and revelators. It's truly a miracle!!!