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.

Fried Oreos. Mmmmmm.

I don't know the last time I went to a state fair, but this one I will never forget. It seemed like all of Mormonia was at this place; taking advantage of the demolition derby, fried oreos, flirting opportunities, and really expensive rides. I know, who wouldn't want to go to the Maryland State Fair on a Friday night?

What's even better? A pseudo double date. Who would want the real thing when you can have a fake one?

Here I am with the male folk, Ian and Adam...now both back in Salt Lake. Sad. Our last hurrah.

The demolition derby. My first ever. Could you ever imagine telling someone that you are a demolition derby driver? I really couldn't. But some people actually put this on their resume!


Yes, all pseudo. But so much real love in front of the derby.

The fairgrounds. I particularly like the "Fried Dough" sign.

Love the swings.

Kind of hate the ferris wheel.

Look closely. You could actually pay to see the Giant Horse show. Can we say, Freak Show?

Adam told me, as my pseudo-date, that he would win this big, cheap, stuffed banana. Empty promises, Adam.

Sarah fully supports fried dough and any junk food for that matter.

Fried oreos and funnel cake. You better believe we ate about a thousand calories.

Close up fried oreos. Surprisingly good.

Chug it.

And chug it some more...and look haggard at the same time.

If you ever go to a state fair, get some fried oreos. They will not only change your life but they will clog your arteries as well. Amen.

Finding my (teaching) niche.

Okay people, I now have week one of the new school year under my belt. And boy, does it feel good. I think I am most excited that I am now done with repeating the syllabus lecture 5 different times. Phew.

I've decided that one of the hardest parts about teaching is finding your niche; ultimately figuring out how you teach and what works for you. Now, I am not claiming that I have found my niche because I believe it's an ongoing process. But at the same time, I am way ahead of the game now than I was 8 months ago.

I now understand the following aspects about teaching that are absolutely vital. (and if this means nothing to you, then tough).

• Procedures (telling kids what you expect of them when they come into class, how they act in class, where to find missing work, etc)
• Posting your rules and explaining to the students why you have them and how they allow us to have an effective learning environment.
• Posting consequences for breaking rules and then enforcing them.
• Drilling these over and over again till the students can explain them over and over again.

And here are the results:

• Very little yelling and waiting for students to pay attention
• Students starting their warm-up before class begins and doing it quietly
• Students telling me that they like that my class has structure and high expectations
• Kids not acting out after I threaten them with detention.

Wow! What a difference it has made! This is a completely different school year than the last. And it feels good.

Granted, I am teaching 9th grade and school just started but I am enjoying this as long as I can.

The niche is coming along nicely...Excellent.