A New Kind of Adventure

I'm used to going on adventures. And, by adventures I mean...going on trips, making goals and checking them off, and doing hard things. It's just what I do and what I did for the last 15 years of my life.

When I was 15 I went to China

At 19 I worked in NYC with my brother-in-law Mark.

At 21 I lived in London and traversed through Europe

At 21 and 4 months I entered the MTC and served an LDS mission for 1.5 years

At 24 I moved to DC and started working in the inner-city at 25

While in DC I ran half-marathons, went on more international trips, and spent many weekends on the eastern seaboard.

Then I moved back to Utah and took a cross-country road trip by myself

It probably sounds like I may be bragging in this post, but I'm not, just trying to prove a point. The fact of the matter is that these experiences have been what I have called adventures over the last 15 years. Travel, friends, goals, hard things. And they are, still, adventures.

But now my life has become a different kind of adventure. Not saying that those bucket list items can't be done anymore, because they can. But I find myself embracing a slower pace of life that includes:

1. Living with my mom

2. Going to a family ward

3. Teaching middle school…yes, middle school. It's definitely an adventure!

4. Watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix streaming

5. Seeing family weekly and other friends sporadically

6. Dating my boyfriend. :)

7. Exercising, or trying to.

It doesn't seem that exciting, especially when you compare it to some of my adventures that I listed previously, but I am reminding myself that my current life situation is good, like really good (I'm dating someone for goodness sake!) and it's OK to have a change of pace. It's just been hard for me to redefine what an adventure is.

I just have to remember that every stage of life brings a unique adventure. And all adventures are good, regardless of form, function, place, thing, or circumstance! Bring it. I can do hard things!

Doing the family ward thing.

It's been 12 years since I was truly in a family ward (an LDS congregation). Not counting my LDS mission, I have been in a singles ward for that amount of time. There are times that I really miss the singles ward life. For example, I miss having friends who are in the same stage of life, the community, being involved in the ward, and being inspired by countless people who are high quality individuals. It was a great 12ish years in a singles ward.

Since being back in Utah, I decided to forgo the singles ward and began going to the family ward in my area. It's been a good experience, albeit with some hard moments and lonely Sundays. Everyone in the ward is married with kids or at least have children, with a sprinkling of widows (like my mom). It's been good to remember that in every stage of life comes hardships and marriage does not mean that life will be blissful with no challenges.

My calling (service opportunity) in the ward is working with the young women as the sports director. I get to coach the girls and also be part of Sunday lessons and activities. A couple of weeks ago we put on an activity that was a cruise ship theme. I was the MC for the evening and we had a fun dance party among many other activities that night. Here I am, below, with the other leaders that I get to work with. It's been a fun outlet and way to get involved with the ward.

The singles ward thing was good but the family ward thing is also great in its own way. I'm grateful for all my opportunities that stretch me as a person and gets me out of my comfort zone.

I got a Valentine! (30 years later...)

Well, I have to carry on the tradition of posting about Valentine's Day as I have done every year since I started my blog. This Valentine's Day was unique because I actually had a valentine to share it with. It was all the mushy and gushy I have always wanted, especially since I voiced my expectations about the day so that I wouldn't be disappointed. And I wasn't. He did a great job!

We went to Color Me Mine and spent 2 hours there making our masterpieces. He, of course, chose to replicate some Michael Jordan. And I, of course, made a cute tea cup and saucer with hearts on it. Can I say "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus?" Luckily we embrace each other's differences really well.

We came back and I made him a nice dinner. Thank you, Pinterest. I even set the table all nice. He got me some eclectic and colorful flowers as I requested and we listened to some sappy love songs and later watched a sappy chick flick.

All my romantic notions were fulfilled. It was wonderful. 

It almost feels strange that I got a valentine this year, but I am grateful for this boyfriend of mine who constantly supports me and find me hilarious and cute. What every girl wants, right? And what's even better is that this event has happened after many years of waiting. So the wait was worth it and made it even more special. 

Happy Valentines Day to all! Whether or not you have a man in your life, I hope you felt the love of family and friends. Loves. 

2014--What a Year!!

This post is a bit late, but wow, I am still whirling over the year of 2014 and how many changes came of it. Allow me to reminisce and recount this incredible year full of changes, sorrows, joy, and new beginnings.

1. Israel. Wait, I did that? I spent the New Year ushering in 2014 in Israel, the land of the Savior. It was off to a great start. See here for my post on that. 

2. Starting the tradition of the 2/11 celebration. Loved gathering with friends and talking to them about my Dad and his life and legacy. 

3. Returning to Canada and visiting Montreal and Ontario (the home of my mission) by myself. Can't believe I did that, but I did. Go me!

4. Making the big decision to move to Utah after 5 years in DC. I got into Grad school, too!

5. Saying goodbye to my school of 5 years and all my beloved friends. Boy, was that a toughie!

6. Leaving on an epic road trip across the country. Doing most of it by myself. At least Melissa joined me for a part of it!

7. Starting a new school and new life in Utah! Wow, the changes!

8. Visiting California again after a few years away from my beloved home. Great to see friends and family. 

9. Going on a trip to Hawaii with the fan damily. Aloha!

10. And last but not least, meeting this guy down below. Six months later and we are still dating. No words can describe God's timing and the miracles that ensue when following the spirit. 

So yes, 2014 you've been good to me. I made some hard choices, but those short term pains have paid off in the long scheme of things. 

We shall see what 2015 brings! :)

DC resurrected

Over the break, I got to see a lot of DC friends. I miss DC and the caliber and quality of friendships that I created there. This was the only picture I got with some of my DC friends from the break, but this is just a sampling of the amazing people out there. So good to see my peeps, catch up, and talk about life in Utah. I miss them!

Me, Chris, Hannah, Brooke, Eric, Ashley.

A proud teaching moment

I like to think that my most creative self comes out when I lesson plan at work. The last day of school before the break I found myself wanting to do something academic but fun for the students. Seeing that we already took our unit test on the Revolutionary War, I decided to have students work in groups, use a set amount of materials, and create something to show their understanding of the war. I was floored to see what they came up with!

Battle of Bunker Hill

Boston Tea Party

Shot heard round the world…aka Lexington and Concord

2nd Continental Congress

Another Bunker Hill example

Lexington and Concord

Battle of Bunker Hill

George Washington

A soldier's wife dreaming of their soldier. These girls are romantic like me!

Boston Tea Party

Teaching lesson #1--Don't ever underestimate the creative minds of students.

It was a great teaching moment. Students told me to do a repeat lesson. I take it they liked the activity?!

Oh, Middle School...

I think it's a combination of teaching middle school AND the fact that I'm teaching in suburbia, Utah and not inner city DC, but teaching life out here is so different--have I mentioned that?! ;)

I've already named off some big reasons a few months ago, but here is another:

Student government at my school held a "deck the halls competition" where the 6, 7, and 8th grade hallways had themes and decorated their hearts out. Would this happen in DC? Oh, heck no. It's a whole new world

8th grade's theme was Gibgerbread Alley. Here's just a taste. 

Look at that mail box

Here's the entry way. It was so magical!

That fire looks warm to me. We have our Admin hanging above

Check out those hanging lights

Even Mickey got involved

They made me a George Washington gingerbread man in front of my door!

I honestly can't take much credit at all for the Decor. But, hey we won the competition so that was good news. This definitely ain't no DCPS for ya…I'm loving the innocence of Middle School!