9th graders are full of surprises.

9th graders (or Grade Niners as they say in Canada) are seriously full of surprises. Right now we are studying Islam and we just finished talking about the 5 pillars of Islam. I wanted them to do something creative with the 5 pillars and do something that applied to their own life. So I had my students create their own pillar, asking themselves what is a fundamental pillar in their life. I gave them examples of family, sports, respect, happiness, music, etc...

Here is what they came up with:

I know this shouldn't surprise me, but it did surprise me when one of my students wrote that her pillar is God. So awesome. She says, "I believe in God. He is very important in my life." Chalk one up for God!


Then here comes another pillar...the one that had me laughing for 5 minutes straight.

My student says this, "The pillar of women. ohh lala. They provide pleasure to the body, smart, sexy, a pleasure to talk to. I love women. They are a pillar of my life."

Don't they just crack you up? I love how his heart looks like a shrunken peach, too. This is one of the many reasons why I love my job...

endless entertainment.

My 2nd Home

Currently my 2nd home is my classroom...of course. I spend more time there than even my own room.

I have spent long hours making this place look nice and presentable. And I want to show if off to all of you...and give you a little taste of what happens when Susie becomes Ms. Baer

TA-DA!!

These rules stare kids in the face 24/7...muhahaha

The word wall. I use it to post the vocab for the unit.

Consequences and Rewards. It's like my own rubric for me. I know what to do when a kid acts up. And you better believe they know what the consequences are. So far I have not had to really implement the consequences. Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo different than last year.

My desk.

The whole shabang.



It's pretty surreal that I'm a teacher. Sometimes I forget and then I remember when students are suddenly clamoring for me outside my door.

This is the real deal folks.

26 is already a good year.

With all of these friends surrounding me, it will no doubt be a good year. I love DC <3

Trainer and Greenie

It has been 4.5 years since we served with each other in the CTWM, but I will always be grateful to my "mom" for teaching me the ways of missionary work. So glad you could come visit Johannah! I will walk through snow drifts with you any time...I'm just glad we didn't have to do it this time around. Ha.

Bosom Buddies Since Birth

Another reason why going back to Cali was totally worthwhile. Seeing Katie and her beautiful family. Love you Katie!

Dancing the Hurrah Away

I should attend Jewish weddings more often! Going back to the Bay Area for my good ole' friend, Ashleigh was definitely worth the trip cross country. What Mormon wedding allows for dancing for 4 hours straight?

Yah...none.

I was in dancing heaven. Oh and the company was great, even if most of it got a little tipsy...hehe.

Ashleigh and Yoni under the chuppah.

Had to take my turn...

Got to see Kathleen.

Ashleigh and Yoni

Reunited and it feels so good.

Towards midnight of the wedding.

Party in the USA.


Congrats to the newlyweds :)

The Breakfast Club: Resurrected

This is what happens when a bunch of girls buy tickets to see an 80s cover band in Washington DC...wanna-be Breakfast Clubbers.

Radical.

The BIG 2-5 has truly been BIG!

Well my days as a 25 year old is coming to a close very shortly, but I can't help but reflect on the many things I accomplished/went through as a 25 year old woman. This has really been a BIG year for me in so many ways.

Here are a few things I accomplished/went though at 25:

• Unemployment
• Substitute teaching
• Traveled to Santa Barbara...a new place in my book.
  
• Began teaching full time in DC
  
• Got health benefits
• Got an actual salary. No more hourly wage.
  
• Planned/traveled to Puerto Rico with friends
• Bought a car...and now I have car payments.
  
• Attended my first ever concert (BSB...I know, lame that I've waited this long)
• Had my first summer vacation as a teacher
• Started training for a half marathon.
  
• Rented a car for the first time (just this past weekend)
  
• Lived in this ward longer than any other wards in the past (besides the Oakland First Ward)
  

And I think that wraps it up. Am I missing anything? That really is a BIG list though. 25 has been good to me. We'll see what 26 brings!

Add "Train for a half marathon" to the bucket list.

Yep, that's right peeps. It's happening. I have been training now for 3.5 weeks for my half marathon coming up on October 9th.

Location: Greensboro, NC

Longest running route so far without stopping: 6 miles

Friends joining me: Sarah, Melissa, Kathryn, KA, and MJ (our mascot.)

Money spent so far: $233. Shoes. Registration. Work out clothes.

Body part that hurts the most: feet

Attitude about running this dang thing: mostly good.

Self esteem: pretty high

Running around the monuments in DC=priceless.

Go me.