My New Ride

The third duck: Buying a car. Check.

I now officially feel like a real adult after buying my first car. It's a 2008 Honda Accord and it's absolutely gorgeous. I got it all the way up in Baltimore, but hey, it was a great deal.

Here I am after purchasing the car. Papers in hand. It's official.

Here are a few views of the car. Check it.

And the inside. It looks brand new.




I'm still trying to figure out the name for my car. So far a few people have suggested Goldie and Oscar (because it's the color of an Academy Award). I feel like it will just come to me. So if any of you have any suggestions, please post.

And if you come to DC, guess what?? I can actually drive you around!

Getting my ducks in a row...one-at-a-time

Remember how I moved out to DC as a humble, young college grad?

Well now I am working on getting my ducks in a row. Duck by duck.

The first duck: Full time job. Check.

The second duck: Moving into a new room with a window, a bathroom and a closet. Can you believe it? I am so grateful for natural light. Check.

The third duck: Buying a car. This should be happening VERY soon.

The fourth duck: TBD. But it's between getting a touch phone or having a boyfriend. We'll see which one happens first. I am going to be optimistic and say the boyfriend, yes definitely the boyfriend.

Granted these things will not equate into complete happiness, but it hasn't hurt either.

I have always loved ducks. Quack.

Starstruck

Maybe I'm becoming a nerd, but I got so excited on Tuesday when I met one of my congressman, Jason Chaffetz. He spoke to the YSA at institute this past week about his conversion to the church and his testimony. It was very inspirational. My roommate works for him and gave us the VIP meeting. It was awesome. Sarah and I were a little spastic, but hey, this is DC, and getting to meet your congressman is pretty neat.


I should probably read up on his political beliefs now.

Dear Dad,

I miss you.


Love, Susie

He knows.

When going through a hard time we often confide in others to receive consolation. Oftentimes we hear the expression, "I know what you mean." Not to disregard that sentiment, I often think: "Do you really know what I mean?" You can't, can you?

Since I've been teaching full time life has been tough, but not just in the teaching arena. I have had lots of time to contemplate my life in all aspects, trying to make sense of it all, and trying to understand the Lord's will.

Thursday I had the opportunity to go to the temple...this wondrous place...

And I had an amazing experience. As I voiced my concerns and questions to the Lord, I was overwhelmed by many feelings of peace. Through my tears I looked up to see this picture hanging:

Then I was reminded. He knows. He knows. He knows. Jesus Christ knows. He doesn't just "know what I mean," he actually knows. How grateful I am for a Savior who knows our pain, anxieties, worries, trials, and sorrows. It's only through him that we can feel sustainable peace.

I know He lives. And I know He knows.

Snorkeling 101

Remember when I went to Puerto Rico?? Wow, I miss those times. In remembrance of PR, I give you "Snorkeling 101"

How to put on a snorkeling mask...by MDG

You struggle

You struggle some more

You get help from Din Din

You start to get it

You can't figure out the gray thingy

You secure the unsanitary mouth piece.

And you give a thumbs up after 5 mins of struggling. :)


Meliss is teaching lessons on a regular basis now.

Sustained.

Today I experienced my 2nd fight of my teaching career. If you check my gchat or my facebook, you will see that I have already advertised this. Just to clarify: I was not in the fight. The fight occurred between two of my students, a boy and a girl. I could see it escalating when they started mixing the f-bomb with their angry words. I called an administrator in right before it happened. He witnessed it with his own eyes, escorted them out of the classroom, and I started teaching. Bam, just like that. It was all a rush.

Surprisingly I was very calm through the whole ordeal. I didn't freak out at all. I just let the administrator and the other 3 security guards take care of it. Pat on the back, right?

But honestly I have to give credit where credit is due. It's not me, it's the Lord. I have only felt this sustained by heavenly hands one other time in my life and that was on my mission. Now, I am sustained by the Lord in the work place. I don't know how to begin to explain His sustaining hands,but let me try. He gives me lesson plan ideas everyday (I teach fifteen lesson plans/week). He helps me to be patient with my students. He allows me to love students that I originally disliked...immensely. He takes the burden of a hard day and allows me to smile as I sit on the metro. I can't explain it really, but I know it's Him that helps me.

People always ask me how I do this job. Although I often shake my head in bewilderment, the answer is usually the same: "I don't do the hardest work. He does."

So ladies and gentleman of the blog world, I testify that Heavenly Father is involved in all aspects of our lives. He sustains us through difficult trials if we let Him. And if he can sustain me as a first year inner city DC high school teacher, you bet I know He will do the same for you.