Are you down with Downton?

You know, sometimes I really don't like to get into the popular TV fads. In fact, I am really not much of a TV watcher at all. But with winter time upon us, who wouldn't want to cozy in with some Downton Abbey? It involves history, fashion, drama, love, and England! Seriously, it's my happy place!

With the drama of Matthew and Mary, the antics of O'Brien and Thomas, the criminal case of Mr. Bates, and my ongoing empathy for poor Edith (did you see last night's episode? :/) it's a wondrous Sunday evening event. I can't get enough of it right now as I am re-watching the 1st and 2nd seasons. This is a great way to pass the winter doldrums. 

So, I'm on the Downton bandwagon. Are you? And yes, I even entered to win a free trip to England on the pbs website. I'll be sure to tell you if I get it! (which is a 1 in a million chance, but you never know).

ps. If you're a real nerd like me, check out this link to a fake facebook page someone made up based on the season 3 premier. Pretty clever, I'd say!

So long 2012, hello 2013!

Wow! 2012 was quite a year! I am so happy to be gone with it and start afresh.

2012 was a year of heartbreak, recovery, first broken bone, Alaskan cruise, student teachers, crazy students, awesome missionary experiences, traveling miracles, power outages, professional development, first major ER experience, developing friendships, thoughts about grad school, family time, trips to the lake and beach with friends, Hurricane Sandy, presidential debates, epic road trips, tears, laughs, dance parties, purging, cooking, walks, and the hopes of moving forward.

I am looking forward to what 2013 will bring. I don't know if I dare post my New Year's resolutions yet, but I definitely have a few things on my mind that I want to improve. First thing that is planned for 2013 is the Rock and Roll DC half marathon March 16th. Looking forward to getting this bod back in running shape. What else will transpire? Who knows! But I have high hopes that this year will be better than last!

I welcome you with open arms, 2013! (cue, Journey)

Putting the Christ in Christmas

Christmas is such a wonderful but busy time of year (I think we all agree on that). It's easy for me to get wrapped up (haha) in the normal day-to-day routine of work and life that the Christmas season just passes me by. On the other hand, sometimes I feel the enormous pressure to do EVERYTHING Christmas that I don't take care of myself and/or I start getting stressed out about not doing enough or doing too much...the list goes on.

This Christmas season I decided to do a few things that would focus on Christ. I did things that I chose ahead of time and I didn't feel bad if I didn't get around to everything or if I had to say no to a few things. I can honestly say it has been a wonderful December!

1. First, I decided to write in my journal every day. I don't pressure myself to write a lot or to even write about the day-to-day events--mostly I just wanted to write about my thoughts that day so I could reflect on the things that I'm grateful for.

2. Next, enjoying the ambiance of my home. My roommates love Christmas and so our home was decked out in holiday splendor...here's just a peak at what the Grove house is capable of!

3. Enjoying the holiday spirit in DC!


Here I am at the Christmas boat parade. No boats pictured, but I am covered with fake snow in this picture!

I attended the White House Christmas tree lighting ceremony. It was freezing but definitely worth it!

 

A group of us went to Handel's Messiah at the National Cathedral. So amazing (but long!)

4. Wathching PLENTY of holiday movies, such as a Bride for Christmas below. My roommates and I watched a plethora of ABC family/Hallmark/Lifetime movies...bring on the teasing, who cares. Some of my favorites? Holiday Engagement, Christmas with Holly, Dear Santa, and Fallen Angel. If you want to know more good ones, give me a ring and I'll give you the full scoop! Needless to say, as cheesy as these movies are they always put emphasis on what's most important in life: Faith, family, and Friends. A good reminder!

5. Attending a healthy number of holiday parties. See ugly Christmas sweaters below...

And here we are at the Relief Society Christmas party below. We also sang a musical number!

6. Sharing the Gospel through several different venues, like the Festival of Lights at the Washington DC temple. I had many opportunities this season to discuss the teachings and beliefs of the LDS church with my coworkers and friends. See mormon.org.

7. Spending quality time with my nieces and nephews!

Girl party with Megan and Olivia

Building a snow man with Emma, Matthew, Sam and Caroline.

Babysitting Joseph and Isaac on Christmas! I loved playing with their new toys!

Enjoying the Christmas Eve nativity play with the family.

What has resulted? A Christmas season that I enjoyed! I participated in a perfect amount of activities, felt the Spirit, strived to focus on the key elements of life and I feel a sense of renewal.

As I sign off with this post I want to share my testimony that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.  I know that He lives and that we can turn to Him. I know that He loves us and can succor us. Please view this amazing mormon message that I watched yesterday morning before opening presents. http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#an-unexpected-gift.

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday!

And sometimes you make a difference...

Teaching is a hard profession. You never know if you're really making a difference. You teach your heart out each day and hope that students are learning something. Kids disrespect you and you wonder if you'll ever reach them. Results are ambiguous and so is your impact.

And then sometimes former students visit you and let you know that they miss you. It makes it all worth it. Thanks to Ivoree and Amari for the visit! It made the crumminess the other classes bearable. of Btw, I don't like what I look like here but oh well...had to post.

Ode to Ms. Igra

9th grade English was brutal. I was coerced into playing Juliet in the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet with a nerdy guy in my class (how embarrassed was I!). I was a lawyer in our mock trial "Of Mice and Men" and I read Paradise Lost THEN wrote a 7 page paper on it. Yah, eeewww....

My friends and I always complained about Ms. Igra: She was too hard, she was weird, and did I mention---she was too hard? For a freshman in high school, that was fuel enough for the fire of complaints.

But now with a different perspective in mind, I think of 9th grade English as one of my formidable classes of high school. Sure, it was tough but I learned how to write, take risks, discuss, formulate connections, and identify aspects of literature. I can appreciate that now.

So this post is for you, Ms. Igra. You don't read my blog and I have no idea where you are. But thank you. Thank you for teaching me and not giving up on me. Thank you for staying with me after school as I strived to interpret acts of Romeo and Juliet. Thanks for challenging me and stretching me as a student. I appreciate you so much more; now that I, myself, am a teacher. You had the bigger picture in mind, like I do for my students. I empathize with you when students role their eyes, challenge your authority, and say all kinds of negative things about you. Regardless, you pushed through like I am striving to push through the school year and literally "endure it well."

To all my teachers--thank you for shaping my life and for impacting me for the better; for encouraging me and giving me confidence to succeed. I am trying to pay it forward with my own students. Some days are absolutely rough. Some days I am jumping with enthusiasm and joy. It's completely bipolar.

Here's to the ride of teaching and here's to Ms. Igra!

33 hours of pure road trip

Happy late Thanksgiving! To celebrate gratitude, my good buddy, Kathryn Moss, her friend Micah (and my new-found friend), and I had a swell time traipsing the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, ONTARIO (ok, it's a province), Michigan, and Ohio. I added 2 new states to my list, so I'm feeling good about life. Additionally, we visited 2 church history sites: Palmyra and Kirtland, spent hours rocking out to Christmas music, visited the ghettoness of Detroit, went Black Friday shopping, and I got to revisit my mission in good ole' Canada. Now, that was nostalgic. It was a great trip.

In absolutely no order at all, here are some pics to showcase our epic road trip. 

Where the Book of Mormon was published--Palmyra New York

The Sacred Grove. Amazing.

In awe of the Falls.My 4th time being there since my mission covered the falls.

Newel K. Whitney Store--Kirtland Ohio

The nicest part of Detroit; the Tigers stadium

The Book of Mormon is true

Tears came to my eyes when I saw this sign..

The Joseph Smith Farm

Hooray we're at the Falls!

Beauty

Joseph Smith Farm, cont'd

The Pamyra temple

Tim Hortons; the Starbucks of Canada.

The Kirtland temple

I've been the good guy (girl)

Ready for a very honest blog post?

Here I come...

This fall has been challenging for a variety of reasons. If I had to give a theme for this fall it would be something like..."where the heck are the fruits of my labor?" and/or "I've been the good guy!"

Let me provide some context with that last statement. Anyone remember the classic LDS movie, "Prodigal Son?"
Obviously the late 80s/early 90s garb is to die for but besides that the movie has a good message. Assuming all of you know the story of the Prodigal Son I won't delve into details but the movie has some stellar points.

The one I'm talking about is the scene where the "righteous" brother pounds the piano keys and yells to his wife several times, "I've been the good guy! I've been the good guy!!!" this was the reaction to the younger, prodigal son getting all of this attention from family and friends after repenting.

Do you ever feel like you're the older brother? Wanting to pound the keys of your own metaphorical life and shout to the heavens: "I've been the good guy or the good girl?"

This fall I have. Sometimes I don't understand it. How, when you feel like you've always strived to do the right thing and you are not getting the praise, the validation, the fruits of your labor, or the blessings that you desire?

I know all of the answers you could throw at me. The talks, the scriptures, the counsel. I've been studying it a lot as this has been on my mind. My answer or my peace of mind has yet to come but I am searching,

I know this sounds like a faithless post but it's more just a place to vent. This sentiment, I know, can translate in any stage of life or circumstance. I think we all have felt this way before and I am not alone.

I know obedience produces blessings and I know that God's plan for us is greater than our own. I know that happiness is not circumstantial but based on our attitude and perspective. But sometimes I am tired of being the "Good Girl."

Thoughts? I welcome them...