I am truly blessed to have a great family and wonderful friends. In the past few days I have had some wonderful talks with wonderful people in my life. I am so grateful for the support that they show me and how much they care for me. It is the last part of spring break and I am sad because I need to go back to work, but school is coming to a close and we need to persevere to the end. I have some great examples in my life of those that have continued to press forward, or kampa pa (shempa po - can't write it in swedish lettering) which means "struggle on".
There are some hard workers out there and I have seen how they have been blessed because of their choices. I hope to be like them someday. Thanks to all of those who have supported me throughout the years. I am truly blessed.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
What happened to February?
Okay, so my last post was on the last day of January and I was welcoming February into my life. Where did it go? It is gone. I know it's late and Ryan if you read this, sorry, I had to post before midnight :) but on something I wanted to.
This blog started out to be about my running. As most of you know, I was in a roll over accident in October and have not been running for 5 months. I thought I would just say, I am starting over, slow with the running, but I have a plan to get back into it. I was so sad when I found out I couldn't run the REX LEE RUN this year because I have to take the PRAXIS at 7:30 that morning. There is no way I will be done with the test and be able to run at 9. So sad.
However, that aside, I am beginning slow. Yesterday, I ran for 20 minutes, but it was a 1 minute run, then 3 minute walk, alternating. It was fine since I was just getting back into things. Today, I did pilates, abs, and walked fast for twenty minutes (which ended up being up and down my stairs).
Am I excited? Do I feel great about getting back into running? YES!! An emphatic Yes. Now, I just need to be consistent and listen to my body as I pursue my goals to be back where I was previous to my accident. I also want to finally get my mountain bike and start biking around. Spring is coming and Summer will be here around the corner. I am so excited.
February, I'm sorry I missed you in the blogging world, but it was a good month, lots of good things happened. :)
This blog started out to be about my running. As most of you know, I was in a roll over accident in October and have not been running for 5 months. I thought I would just say, I am starting over, slow with the running, but I have a plan to get back into it. I was so sad when I found out I couldn't run the REX LEE RUN this year because I have to take the PRAXIS at 7:30 that morning. There is no way I will be done with the test and be able to run at 9. So sad.
However, that aside, I am beginning slow. Yesterday, I ran for 20 minutes, but it was a 1 minute run, then 3 minute walk, alternating. It was fine since I was just getting back into things. Today, I did pilates, abs, and walked fast for twenty minutes (which ended up being up and down my stairs).
Am I excited? Do I feel great about getting back into running? YES!! An emphatic Yes. Now, I just need to be consistent and listen to my body as I pursue my goals to be back where I was previous to my accident. I also want to finally get my mountain bike and start biking around. Spring is coming and Summer will be here around the corner. I am so excited.
February, I'm sorry I missed you in the blogging world, but it was a good month, lots of good things happened. :)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Musings of the month of January
I'm not sure what to say about January. It was the first month of the new year. It flew by and I feel like I got a lot accomplished, but then I don't. Do you ever have those feelings? Am I doing significant things that are helping me to move forward? I was talking to a friend tonight and we came to the conclusion that if we recognize what we've done and are thankful for what HAS been accomplished, we can feel more satisfied.
First, I survived another term of school and another round of parent-teacher conferences. Those can always be stressful, but it is over with, for the most part. I still need to round up 3 more students for the meetings, but those should be done before the end of the week.
Second, Benchmarks (reading levels) are done for the 2nd time. A lot of my students were able to move up a few levels. One girl moved up significantly. She moved up 3 levels. I was so proud of her. Her comprehension is amazing. I found out she watches the Discovery Channel a lot. I love that channel. :)
Third, I just finished the training for the Arts program we have been going to this year. The last one was on Friday. That makes me so happy that I am done and get a credit towards my teacher professionalism. That is one more step in the right direction.
Fourth, our FHE program has been significantly heightened by a little more unity among the groups, and some healthy competition. For January, we did ice cream sculptures. A lot of the groups had some great ideas and creations. My group came up with a scene from UP! When I get the pictures, I'll post some. My co-chair and I gave talks, as well as another FHE leader and just an attendee. They were great and I learned a lot about why we have FHE in the first place.
Fifth, I have been working on my ARL. I did not do as well in a class that I was taking online, so I need to do it again, but now I understand how to do an online class. Much harder than I though. I'm sure there are others that would have no problem, but I struggled. Now, I am set up to take the PRAXIS for content knowledge in March, and the PRAXIS PLT in April. Overkill, maybe, but I need it in order to keep up. I am still working on my ESL endorsement as well. So much to do, so little time to do it. :)
Sixth, I have joined a dinner group, which I love. I enjoy spending time with friends over meals and getting a chance to eat someone else's cooking. I cook only once every three weeks (we eat 2 nights out of the week). I think it is fabulous and I love the people I eat with because they are such great conversationalists. I was lucky and took over a friend of mine's position, and now we are losing another friend Kathryn, but should be gaining another one soon.
Now that I look back, I realize that a lot has been accomplished and I feel a sense of satisfaction, but there are still some loose ends that I need to tie up. This is not a problem, since I recognize the need, but I need to understand the path of how I should attack the problems I face. I have a hard time getting the big, ugly projects out of the way. I remember seeing a motivational video about eating your frog. They tell you to eat it right away in the beginning of the day. Then, the rest of the day will be a snap since it gives you the confidence to accomplish hard things. It's about procrastination, since we will usually procrastinate a difficult task and then it drains our energy since it goes on for awhile as uncompleted.
I need to learn to prioritze and EAT MY FROG!!! I have been trying to be much more organized. I just created a six week workout routine for myself in order to get in shape for the REX LEE RUN. (I may not be able to run because of the PRAXIS now, darnit all). However, I'll still follow the plan. Then I have plans for what I'm going to eat and cleaning schedules. I need to delegate. So many people have offered to help me in my classroom. I need to take them up on it.
So, here is to a new month. February, it's going to be awesome. Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year. Maybe I'll make up some new resolutions for Chinese New Year. :) Good-bye January, hello February.
First, I survived another term of school and another round of parent-teacher conferences. Those can always be stressful, but it is over with, for the most part. I still need to round up 3 more students for the meetings, but those should be done before the end of the week.
Second, Benchmarks (reading levels) are done for the 2nd time. A lot of my students were able to move up a few levels. One girl moved up significantly. She moved up 3 levels. I was so proud of her. Her comprehension is amazing. I found out she watches the Discovery Channel a lot. I love that channel. :)
Third, I just finished the training for the Arts program we have been going to this year. The last one was on Friday. That makes me so happy that I am done and get a credit towards my teacher professionalism. That is one more step in the right direction.
Fourth, our FHE program has been significantly heightened by a little more unity among the groups, and some healthy competition. For January, we did ice cream sculptures. A lot of the groups had some great ideas and creations. My group came up with a scene from UP! When I get the pictures, I'll post some. My co-chair and I gave talks, as well as another FHE leader and just an attendee. They were great and I learned a lot about why we have FHE in the first place.
Fifth, I have been working on my ARL. I did not do as well in a class that I was taking online, so I need to do it again, but now I understand how to do an online class. Much harder than I though. I'm sure there are others that would have no problem, but I struggled. Now, I am set up to take the PRAXIS for content knowledge in March, and the PRAXIS PLT in April. Overkill, maybe, but I need it in order to keep up. I am still working on my ESL endorsement as well. So much to do, so little time to do it. :)
Sixth, I have joined a dinner group, which I love. I enjoy spending time with friends over meals and getting a chance to eat someone else's cooking. I cook only once every three weeks (we eat 2 nights out of the week). I think it is fabulous and I love the people I eat with because they are such great conversationalists. I was lucky and took over a friend of mine's position, and now we are losing another friend Kathryn, but should be gaining another one soon.
Now that I look back, I realize that a lot has been accomplished and I feel a sense of satisfaction, but there are still some loose ends that I need to tie up. This is not a problem, since I recognize the need, but I need to understand the path of how I should attack the problems I face. I have a hard time getting the big, ugly projects out of the way. I remember seeing a motivational video about eating your frog. They tell you to eat it right away in the beginning of the day. Then, the rest of the day will be a snap since it gives you the confidence to accomplish hard things. It's about procrastination, since we will usually procrastinate a difficult task and then it drains our energy since it goes on for awhile as uncompleted.
I need to learn to prioritze and EAT MY FROG!!! I have been trying to be much more organized. I just created a six week workout routine for myself in order to get in shape for the REX LEE RUN. (I may not be able to run because of the PRAXIS now, darnit all). However, I'll still follow the plan. Then I have plans for what I'm going to eat and cleaning schedules. I need to delegate. So many people have offered to help me in my classroom. I need to take them up on it.
So, here is to a new month. February, it's going to be awesome. Groundhog's Day, Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year. Maybe I'll make up some new resolutions for Chinese New Year. :) Good-bye January, hello February.
Monday, January 11, 2010
RAGNAR RELAY 2009 - Wasatch Back, Utah
Here was the race of the year. I had run in this race one time before, but not as an actual participant. It was more as a support. This time I was team captain and I was in charge of a group of 12. There are two vans with six people in each. I had one van be captained by my cousin Shane and his wife Shannon. They filled their van with people they knew. Then I was in charge of the other van and filled that with people I knew or they knew. They people I originally had in my van were Camilla Hodge, a friend and fellow ward member, and Elizabeth Cooper, a friend and companion from the mission field. I still was unable to find the last 3 members of our team until the last possible minute. 2 of them came from Camilla. One was her "cousin" Mark and he brought a friend of his Alyssa. Then my cousin Shane told me he knew a girl that really wanted to run and she was going to call me. Well, she never called and it was 6 am the day of the race. We were supposed to start at 10. Luckily, Paul came through and got work off for two days and came running with us. He was supposed to help by volunteering at one of the stations (I had tried to get him to run before), but it wasn't until I was desperate, he was able to bail us out.
This is a long one, so stay tuned, I'll add more later. :)
This is a long one, so stay tuned, I'll add more later. :)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Freedom Run 2009 10K
I have run the Freedom Run the last 3 years. The first time, I ran the 10K, second time, I ran the 5K, but this time I wanted to run the 10K again. I had just run the Bridal Veil Falls 10K just a little over a month ago. My brother had just gone to EFY that week and my mother was in town, so she went to go pick him up so they could watch me run the race. I wasn't quite sure where they would be waiting, but I knew they would be there. I saw them only a little bit into the race. They were waiting for me near the top of the 900 East climb. They were on the corner where the BYU Law Library is and the Creamery on 9th. My brother wasn't really paying attention (lack of sleep from staying up every night at EFY), but my mom saw me right away. I saw them as well, and ran right next to them. My plan was to kiss my hand and place it on my brother's cheek, but the way he turned his head to see where I was, his surprise and the fact that I was running past him made it awkward and it looked like I slapped him. I at least wanted to run under an hour this time, to make up for the last run I was in, but I can't remember my time. If I do, I will post it later on.
Bridal Veil Falls 10K
This blog originally was about my running career so I need to update you a little bit about the runs I ha
ve had since the Rex Lee Run in March. I wasn't planning on running in this 10K, but Paul was signed up, so I decided at the last minute to run it. It was on May 30, 2009I was going to go support him at first, but then I got up early, put on my rumming clothes, and went over to sign up. Since I run pretty regularly, there isn't really a problem with jumping in a race like that. I knew that Paul would beat me because he was really getting ready for it, where I wasn't. There was one place where you turn around so, I saw Paul running on his way back. He came over and gave me a high five. It was a fun run. I wasn't really pushing myself and that's why my time was a little bit over an hour. Paul beat me by 10 minutes, which is totally fine. The breakfast afterwards was good. They had cantaloupe, watermelon, and 
pancakes. Very good. Then we took some pictures by Paul's new buy, the Isuzu Rodeo, and he went off to work and I went home to sleep. It was a good day. Not my best run, but it felt really great.
ve had since the Rex Lee Run in March. I wasn't planning on running in this 10K, but Paul was signed up, so I decided at the last minute to run it. It was on May 30, 2009I was going to go support him at first, but then I got up early, put on my rumming clothes, and went over to sign up. Since I run pretty regularly, there isn't really a problem with jumping in a race like that. I knew that Paul would beat me because he was really getting ready for it, where I wasn't. There was one place where you turn around so, I saw Paul running on his way back. He came over and gave me a high five. It was a fun run. I wasn't really pushing myself and that's why my time was a little bit over an hour. Paul beat me by 10 minutes, which is totally fine. The breakfast afterwards was good. They had cantaloupe, watermelon, and 
pancakes. Very good. Then we took some pictures by Paul's new buy, the Isuzu Rodeo, and he went off to work and I went home to sleep. It was a good day. Not my best run, but it felt really great.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
School Days become better when. . .
So, I am still here at school, despite my New Year's resolution to not stay past 5. First, I was supposed to be here until 7 because of an ESL class that I am taking, so Tuesday is the only day I should be here that late. Well, unbeknownst to my colleague and I, we didn't have class, so I thought, "Sweet, I can get a lot of stuff done in my classroom that I put off when I went home for the holidays and closed my classroom door not to return until a day before school resumed."
However, when I got to my classroom, I did other things, such as reading a little bit ahead of my students in "The Tale of Despereaux" (that is legitimate classwork since I need to read it with my students for Guided Reading), emailing my Christmas letter to family and friends that I did not have an address for, and then I got hooked on looking at my friend Erin's blog.
She is one that I can always count on to have some witty post on her blog. Well, the one for today got me hooked. It was a class posted at a school titled "How to Survive a Zombie Invasion." For Real?!? I laughed so hard. Please check out her blog just to see the details of it. Then I saw that she had posted all of her texts for the past year, 2009. I did not know she did this and found some of mine in the smattering of texts. I loved it. I even checked in January of 2009 to see if she had posted her 2008 texts, and she had. I was amused to find the one we still joke about today. I wrote "Hurry, they are eating all my candy." This was because we didn't realize children would actually trick or treat at our door, so I sent her to Allen's and she got whatever was left there.
The point of it is, I spent a long time looking at some of her posts, laughing my head off and just remembering good times. I may have needed that more than getting school work done because it was a long day. Or, I really should've been working instead. Either way, I'm still at school, but soon to be gone. Thanks Erin and thanks to everyone that posts and makes my day a little bit brighter.
However, when I got to my classroom, I did other things, such as reading a little bit ahead of my students in "The Tale of Despereaux" (that is legitimate classwork since I need to read it with my students for Guided Reading), emailing my Christmas letter to family and friends that I did not have an address for, and then I got hooked on looking at my friend Erin's blog.
She is one that I can always count on to have some witty post on her blog. Well, the one for today got me hooked. It was a class posted at a school titled "How to Survive a Zombie Invasion." For Real?!? I laughed so hard. Please check out her blog just to see the details of it. Then I saw that she had posted all of her texts for the past year, 2009. I did not know she did this and found some of mine in the smattering of texts. I loved it. I even checked in January of 2009 to see if she had posted her 2008 texts, and she had. I was amused to find the one we still joke about today. I wrote "Hurry, they are eating all my candy." This was because we didn't realize children would actually trick or treat at our door, so I sent her to Allen's and she got whatever was left there.
The point of it is, I spent a long time looking at some of her posts, laughing my head off and just remembering good times. I may have needed that more than getting school work done because it was a long day. Or, I really should've been working instead. Either way, I'm still at school, but soon to be gone. Thanks Erin and thanks to everyone that posts and makes my day a little bit brighter.
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