Everything I need to know about Valentine's Day I learned from a sixth grader.

Today I received a single red rose from Sergio, one of my students. He was all dressed up in a suit for our Valentine's Day dance and looked like a little gentleman presenting his rose. So cute. It made my day.

Annie stood next to me in the school gym as we watched kids doing the swing moves I taught them to Ella Fitzgerald. She turned to me and asked, "Have you danced with anyone your age at the dance today?"

I laughed and said, "No."

"Why not?"

"I don't think there are any guys my age to dance with... anywhere. I'm not sure they exist."

Annie looked a bit confused and said, "Oh... Well, you can just dance with me then."

And so we danced.

I found Kayla sitting on the floor of the gym crying because none of the boys were asking her to dance. I stood her up, gave her a hug, and said, "You don't need boys to ask you to dance to have a fun time. Just go out there and dance!" She dried her tears and smiled, and we headed out to the dance floor.

Meanwhile, Matthew had heard why Kayla was upset. Before she knew what hit her, Kayla was surrounded by 6 boys all wanting to dance with her - Matthew at the lead. She lit up as she danced with one kind boy after another.

Jordan gave me a Valentine card that said, "I love you because you are the best teacher in the whole world."

It's amazing how those little monkeys I teach can become so sweet. Today they were wonderful reminders of what is important in life: helping others feel loved.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Support

Why should it be so difficult to find a good sports bra? Is it so much to ask for a supportive, comfortable, yet snug bra? My favorite two are Nike, and I've been thinking I've got to just go online and find some more like them. But, it kills me to spend more money on a product simply because it has a swoosh on the back. But, hey. I'm talkin' about taking care of my girls, so the money is worth it.

Sorry, Mom. I hope I didn't shock you ranting in "public" about such a topic.

Tag!

I know, I know. You've seen these things a hundred times in email, but I confess I like them. The rules of the game are as follows:

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
C. At the end of the game the player tags 5 people, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment letting them know they've been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

10 years ago:
I was in my Junior year at BYU. (Yes, I really am getting old. :)
I was living with Katie and Emery in the Chelsea Condos. (Yes, Emery and I really were roommates for the first time 10 1/2 years ago!)
I was applying to work as a counselor at Aspen Grove, the BYU Alumni family camp. (I did get the job and worked there Summer '98.)

5 things on my to-do list today:
1) Put up signs at the church reminding the women that basketball was canceled today.
2) Go to the gym to do cardio.
3) Read the research article for which I will be leading a discussion in class on Wednesday.
4) Do my laundry.
5) Write a stupid 100 question test for my students to take on Monday.

Snacks I enjoy:
I'd love to say apple slices, celery sticks, and wheat germ, but while those are enjoyable, let's be real:
Chocolate and toffee almonds
Utah chocolate almond truffles
Coffee cake
Bagels with Tofutti's "Better Than Cream Cheese"
Ruffles with onion dip (made with "Better Than Sour Cream" of course)
Almost anything chocolate

What I would do if I were suddenly a billionaire:
Pay off my house
Pay off my credit card
Pay off my bookie
(I'm just kidding about that one.)
Pay Emery's school tuition and allow her to quit her job and go to school full time
Hire a domestic assistant to clean my house every week, wash my windows, and do my ironing
Finish my unfinished basement
Travel
Support missionaries
Volunteer
Fund and participate in humanitarian projects
Promote world peace

3 of my bad habits:
1) Eating junk food
2) Not returning phone calls
3) Forgetting

5 places I have lived:
Escondido, CA
Provo, UT
Alexandria, VA
East Palo Alto, CA
Salt Lake City, UT

5 jobs that I have had:
Vocal Recording Artist
Feature Film Art Department - Assistant to the Set Decorator
Camp Counselor
6th Grade Teacher
K-6 Computer Lab Teacher

5 things people don't know about me:
1) When you google me, all sorts of results come back for IMDB and other such sites. What you may not know is that it really is me they're referring to!
2) I was a field hockey goalie in high school, and was even recruited by a few colleges.
3) In college, I had 6 ear piercings. Well, I guess I still have them, I just don't wear earrings in them.
4) I have an "art studio" set up in my basement. One day when I have some time, I plan on becoming a great painter.
5) I still sleep with my blanket that I received after being burned at the age of 2. I take it EVERYWHERE I go.

5 people I tag are:
eclaires
Smith Family
Joanna
Funaki-Naki-Naki
Alanna

Until We Meet Again

I had the distinct privilege today to attend the funeral services for President Gordon B. Hinckley, prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The spirit felt at the conference center was peaceful and warm. I loved hearing from his daughter and his fellow church leaders. My testimony of his role as prophet and my faith in Jesus Christ, my Savior, were strengthened. What an honor it has been to learn from President Hinckley, hear his wise words, watch his excellent example, and be blessed by his inspired leadership all these years. He truly was a man of God.

I am so happy to know that President Hinckley is now with his wife again, and that they are both in the presence of friends and family who have gone on before them. I can only imagine how glorious their reunion was on Sunday evening when he passed through the veil to be greeted by his Heavenly Father, the Savior, and his dear, sweet wife. Surely there were tears of joy and embraces. I imagine the Savior said to him, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

One of the many inspirational and touching thoughts from the funeral this morning was that of Presidnet Hinckley's repeated reassurance that "Things will work out." I tell myself this very thing every day as I face my own little challenges, struggles, and questions. It is a comfort to hear the prophet of the Lord expressing the same sentiments. It gives me renewed faith and courage to go forward with my life, knowing things will work out. And of course they will, if I put my trust in God, my loving, all-knowing Heavenly Father.

I was also filled with joy as I was reminded that this life is not the end of our relationships with our loved ones. President Hinckley has been reunited with his sweetheart, and one day his children, family, and friends will be reunited with him as well. I too will one day be reunited with my own father, and my wonderful mother will be reunited with her sweetheart. My dad's headstone reads, "How sweet will our reunion be!" I have had a glimpse of that sweetness as I have imagined President Hinckley's return to his heavenly home.

My thoughts and prayers are also with President Monson today as he prepares to step forward and take on the mantle of being the next prophet of The Church. As he stood at the pulpit today, ready to begin the services, he paused, as if to collect his thoughts and emotions. I can only imagine what those thoughts were, but I was impressed with the loss he has suffered in the passing of his dear friend and leader, and the responsibility he will be undertaking. I pray for him to receive strength and guidance. I am grateful for his goodness. I know he will be lead by the Lord, as President Hinckley was, to direct the Lord's church and His people.

It has been a beautiful, winter day - a time of contemplation, gratitude, faith, humility, and renewed determination to do the Lord's will. I am determined to live my life in such a way that I continue the legacy that President Hinckley and all the prophets before him have built. I will stand as a witness of Christ and move forward in the work the Lord has for me to do. My greatest desire is to be the person that President Hinckley, my dad, my mom, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ expect me to be and know I can be. I am eternally grateful for my blessings and my knowledge of God's plan for me and for us all.

Ready

I decided today that I am ready for several things to happen:

I am ready for winter to be over.

Alas, it is only January.

I am ready to kiss someone new.

Alas, I don't know who.

I am ready to be done with working while going to grad school.

Alas, I have only completed one semester.

I am ready for something new.

Alas, I can hardly handle what I am already doing.

I am ready to move on.

Alas, I know not what to move on to.

Or what to move on from...

Letter to Nicaragua

I wrote this letter to Emery in Nicaragua to update her on the happenings here, so I will include it (edited for content, of course) to update all of you as well.

Hi! So I miss you. I realized yesterday that I talk to myself a lot when you're not here... out loud... I'm actually quite witty.

So much happens when you go away, so I'll fill you in on some important things while I still remember them. And, if you prompt me when you get back I will elaborate.

Oh, and I know I'm totally butchering the spelling of every name and a lot of words in this email, but I'm too tired to worry about it. Forgive me? Please? Thanks.

Today in the "good news minute" (which I walked in late for - long story - I'll tell you about that later in this email), Krista announced her engagement to that guy! What's his name? Hold on, I'll text Brian...

Waiting...

Waiting...

Waiting...

Steven.

Also, Tami announced her engagement to Jimmy during her talk today! (That sounds funny, but it wasn't strange of her to say. It fit in her talk.) Crazy!

Tami told me I looked HOT today. I love that girl.

Ben was called as the assistant mission leader, Jessica was called as assistant librarian. Heidi was called as the ward women's sports leader, and Lee was called as the men's.

Nataley, Tami, and Teona spoke in sacrament meeting about self mastery and bridling your passions.

I met with the bishopric about my many callings. We're all very sad that I won't be able to continue with everything I've been doing because of my new calling as Stake Women's Sports Director. I think I'm going to remain the webmaster, but be released from calendar, public relations chair, and gospel doctrine. I think I will be the official unofficial gospel doctrine substitute. Bishop, Marlin, and Aaron were very nice and complimentary to me. This stake calling will be good. By the way, do you want to play basketball on Saturday mornings? :)

Ok, so why I was late despite getting up at 7:30:
I must admit, I agree with Tami that I looked rather cute today. :) I had on my black, short GAP dress and tall boots (ok, YOUR tall boots...). Today was ward dinner, and I made pork and sour kraut. I was on the way out the door and managed to tip the tray with the food just enough that a line of pickled cabbage juice went onto my dress right across my boobs. Yuck. What could I do? I was determined to not have to change my entire outfit, so I dabbed off the sour kraut juice, ran upstairs, and got the Febreeze bottle. I sprayed myself with the Fabreeze and ran back downstairs. So, now my bust line smelled minty fresh with just a hint of stewed pork and sour kraut. But hey, I was only a few minutes late and I looked GOOD. ;)

Friday:
Dennis and I went to Kristine and Adam's music party. I had a very fun time. I had a LOT of fun! I have a cough, so my voice was quickly dying, but I managed to sing quite a few songs. They demanded Adam and I sing "The Prayer". It was not so good. My voice was too gone. I made them promise to request it next time so I can redeem myself. Adam defended me, and so did his mom, saying that I really was sick. I sang a song with Maurine, Adam's mom, accompanying me. I sang a couple songs with Keith. And I sang "Home" from Beauty and the Beast, "Whistle Down the Wind", and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" with Dennis accompanying me. Dennis played very well. Several of the other ladies asked him to play for them too. He is better than I realized, and I found out he has only ever taken a year of piano lessons - and they were Suzuki lessons! So, he basically taught himself. Cool.

Well, have you had enough? Ok. Stop reading email and go play a game with your family and then take a bubble bath not with your family. See you on Tuesday. If anything great happens between now and then, I'll let you know.

Simply Amazing

This afternoon I was using a bottle of Nasonex, and I dropped the lid on the bathroom floor. I heard it hit the tile, but when I looked for it, the lid was nowhere to be seen. I looked for a good two minutes, and no lid. "Strange," I said aloud. Figuring I was just blind in one eye, I left knowing I would find it sooner or later. When I got home from class tonight and trekked up the stairs, in the faint light I could see something small and oval-shaped on the stairs. I bent down to take a closer look and... You guessed it! The blue lid! The stairs are a good 10 to 15 feet from the bathroom, and around two corners! Simply amazing.

The light bulb in my closet burned out yesterday. I've never had my closet light bulb burn out before.

Tonight, to celebrate getting an MMR shot in my arm, I am barbecuing. In a short sleeve shirt, no less. Yes, it's a common thing for people to do while enjoying whether like we've had this week. Snow really puts one in the mood for steak.

Guacamole Snowcone

I went to my friend Andrea's birthday dinner tonight. Walking back to the car, I noticed that the ground was very icy. Unfortunately, I did not realize how icy until I could feel my feet sliding around out of control. I could not stop those feet from sliding right out from under me! Down I went, crashing to the cold asphalt while my bowl of guacamole shattered and splattered next to me.

I heard Emery and a couple other people ask, "Are you okay?"

"Ya, I'm fine."

"I'm glad you're okay. But, I'm really upset about losing that great guacamole."

A hand reached down to help me up. "Hi. I'm Dean. I didn't get to meet you inside at the party." The same hand then reached out to shake mine.

"Um, nice to meet you, Dean... Sorry, I have guacamole all over my hands."

Emery and Dean helped me collect the pieces of broken bowl. Another friend emerged from her car with a bag to put the ceramic pieces in. Dean promptly grabbed a chunk of snow and plopped it down right on top of the pile of guacamole so no one would step in it. My guacamole-covered clothing is now soaking in the washing machine. Fortunately, I landed on my hip and bum, so there was plenty of padding and my landing didn't hurt. Now, I'm just praying that my back doesn't freak out again from the jolt it received. Ah... life is full of fun adventures.

Grades & Other News

Update:
My professor agreed that the grade he gave me was too low. He had forgotten about my extra credit work I had emailed him, and he is adjusting the grade. That means I got A's in both classes! Yay! (Is it tacky for me to post that I got A's? Oh, who cares? I'm excited!)

In other grad school news:
I am trying to figure out why the university insists that everyone get re-immunized for measles and mumps. Apparently once was not good enough, but I think that once is all that most people have ever been given an MMR immunization. The university didn't make it very clear in the letter they sent, but I think I have to make an appointment to get a shot before I can start spring semester. Yuck! I used to be fine with needles - I could watch them go right into my arm with no problem. But, not-so-great experiences with giving blood, getting IVs and having surgeries has caused shots to have a negative connotation. I don't like them. Unfortunately, I have no choice here.

Work:
6th grade is in full swing again. These past two days back on track have gone well. My team, as always, is helpful and supportive, and the kids are fun. I do like teaching science -- we're studying the planets right now. I've also had fun working on persuasive essays with the kids. They're writing essays trying to convince the principal that 6th graders should be allowed to chew gum in school. In PE we are playing basketball. Fun stuff.

Blog:
I've added a few more links, quotes, and pictures on my sidebar, so check them out if you want to. I'm still looking for quote ideas, so be sure to comment if you think of something funny!

P.S.
There is a really strange sound outside our house right now. I heard it last night too. It's sort of like a distant airplane sound, only louder. Or maybe a trash compactor, or snow plows. Only, it hasn't snowed in the last few days. I can't figure it out. It's loud and scary. Anyone have any ideas what it could be?

Muskrat Love

Today Emery and I went for a morning walk to welcome in the new year. It is sunny and beautiful outside, although quite cold and snow-covered still. A good combination. As we walked past the creek, we saw two muskrats swimming in the water! It was very exciting for me. I couldn't remember what they are called. I went through a list of possibilities: "Beavers? No. Otters? No. River rats? Yes. We'll just call them river rats."

So, when I got home, I googled them to find out for sure what they were. "Oh ya... muskrats!" I have seen them several times in the creek on our golf course too. In fact, I think my neighbor's dog killed one of them once. They're not really that fabulous, I guess. They are rodents. But still, they're fun to watch in the water. It made me happy.