I'm Alive!

Its true. I am alive.

I don't even know how I got so behind on blogging. The summer exhausted me and by the time I recovered, I had too much to catch up on.

So, very briefly, this is what you missed...

From Spain, I flew to Paris with five of the kids I worked with. I met up with the group that had summered in Florence and we had fifteen kids in total. That number was so much better! I love Paris!

My next stop was London. Remind me again why I don't live there...I was able to visit inside of Westminster Abbey (I was too cheap to have done that before) and saw Wicked. Amazing!

This is not Westminster Abbey. This is Buckingham Palace.

When I got back from Europe, I had one day to recover and the Pando family flew to California to attend Derek and Stephany's wedding. It was an amazing day!

We were able to do all sorts of fun things, including hiking (yes, that is us in a tree) and biking the Golden Gate Bridge.We even got to visit my aunt in Antioch.

When we got back from California, me and my mom joined the Nielson/Nipper clan for a quick trip to Gainesville. We now have the tradition of celebrating Laura's birthday out there...

And while I was walking around the mall, I bumped into this good looking guy...it was fate. 

After getting back from Gainesville, we had to deal with Hurricane Katrina. I had planned on staying in Florida an extra week, but the hurricane changed those plans. I quickly gathered my things and flew to DC, only to have Katrina hit the DC area three days later. Thankfully, the damage wasn't too bad. 

I then had to start getting ready for school. I set up my classroom and attended lots of meetings.

For Labor Day, a group of us got a house in Cape May. It was so relaxing and wonderful, I didn't take any pictures! But I did take pictures on the ferry on the way to Cape May. And that will have to suffice.

 My ward had a retreat a few weeks later and we had a blast. It was a little cold and rainy, but I think we all enjoyed it. A big thanks to those who set it up!

During the Games. We named ourselves "The Nunnery"

This was while we were watching the BYU/Utah game. My Gators had won
earlier in the day, so I was just happy.

And so here we are. All caught up. You should expect some posts about a new house I am moving into (next week!), some Gator football (we play Alabama on Saturday), and a quick trip to Miami to see the Dolphins/Broncos game. 

Its gonna be great!

Tidbits

I apologize for not blogging. Its not that I don't want to, but there isn't really much happening these days. 

But here are some interesting tidbits of information:

-My last day with students is June 22nd. Graduation is the 23rd (all teachers attend graduation).

-Kate and Kaleb are getting married June 25th (Congrats you two!!).

-I leave for Spain on June 27th (but I still don't know what city I will be going to. However, I will be going on London and Paris after Spain!)

-My cousin Derek is marrying a lovely lady by the name of Stephany on August 13th (requiring that the family come together in San Francisco. We are so excited!)

 

I forgot to mention that Leesh and I are moving out of our house on June 1st because she got a new job and I will be spending the summer in Europe. So the last few weeks of school will be spent coach-surfing. Should be interesting...

Good vs Bad

Good news.

I survived the first half of the school year.

Bad news.

I still have the rest of the school year to go.

Good news.

I baked tonight.

Bad news.

I baked tonight. And now I have to workout tomorrow. Boo.

Don't tell my healthy living blog followers that I made these. These little guys are not exactly on the approved Weight Watchers list...

But here is the process...in case you are interested:

I started with a little brownie batter...

Added a little cream cheese topping...

Don't forget the swirl...

And baked for about 17 minutes (at 350).

Let's take a closer look, shall we?

These are the mini versions. You can also make them in full cupcake sizes.
And they are heavenly.

Drowning...

...in a sea of essays.

Can someone help dig me out??


The quarter ends today. Grades have to be in on Tuesday.
Help.

Thankful...

Today I had my students write in their journal about what they are thankful for. I thought that I would join them (in no particular order):

1. My family. I would be nothing without the support of my family.


2. My education. My career depends on it!

3. My friends. There is something to be said about late night WalMart/Target runs and Wendy's Twisted Frosties...and late night phone calls...

4. The existence of planes. They allow me to travel to see said family and friends

5. Health insurance. I didn't have it for a year and a half. It is nice to have it back...

6. This little girl. She makes me want to make the world a better place for her.

7. My fun roommates, both past and present.

Sorry, this is the most recent picture I have of roommates. But I love you all, I promise!!

8. Harry Potter. Really, it is so enjoyable!

9. My love of reading. Although I have abused it over the years, I am so grateful that I love to read!

10. My traveling experiences. They have helped shape me into the person that I have become.


11. My ability to teach. I get so much pleasure when my students finally "get" something!

12. My membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know exactly where I would be without it...its not pretty...

13. Music in my life. I wish I could have music around me at all times...

14. My school - this includes the students and teachers I work with. AMAZING! I have learned so much from them!

15. Good evaluations from my boss. It makes me feel like I made the right choice to stay here...

Reading

I can't help it....

it is the teacher in me...

See More Funny Pictures by Dweebist

The Start

For the past two weeks, I have been attending orientations and in-services and meetings and mini workshops and professional development groups.

In short, school is about to start.
I am actually super excited to start. I got my class list a few days ago and I have some of the same kids from when I did my student teaching (I don't know if they feel it is a good thing, but I do). I am working with some amazing teachers and am hoping to continue learning from them

Oh- and many of you have asked what I will be teaching. I will have 10th grade English and am thinking of teaching:

1984
Othello
The Bean Trees
Catcher in the Rye
A Separate Peace
A series of short stories
Persepolis
Cry, The Beloved Country
Of Mice and Men
and the usual writing and grammar

(what do you think of my list? do you have any suggestions?)

Should be a fun year!