Saturday

I awoke rather early this morning remembering I hadn't really started packing and how much still needed to be done before leaving for China (tomorrow). I got up and started running. I went to Costco to get some things Mom and Dad really appreciated. Costco didn't have everything I needed, and I stopped at another grocery store on the way home. I stopped at the mall for some American Christmas presents for my family. I remembered Mom wanted the December Ensign. I went to the Distribution Center and they were out. I found out the one downtown had some. I don't like driving to places I've never been before, especially in Salt Lake so I called a friend to come with me. The person I called was the guy who took me out on Wednesday and he reminded me we needed to finish the museum of art (we were literally kicked out because they were closing on Wednesday). So, he drove downtown and we got the Ensigns and went back to the museum. I came home late in the evening after a fun afternoon and evening with this guy and realized I had missed some calls on my phone during the day. One of the missed calls was from one of the guys who took me out this week. So I called him back and he took me out for a late dinner (crazy eating schedule today I'd say!) and we talked until it was late. Here it is Sunday morning and I still need to pack! I have had several full days this week and they have been so fun!

Friday

I had such a fun evening! I went to the Eclipse Christmas concert with Rick. It was so fun! The group Eclipse has been together for 6 years. They have performed all over the country as well as in Shanghai, China. I hadn't listened to their music much before the concert, but it was so good! They are an A Cappella group. This was their Christmas concert and it was exciting to hear their versions of the familiar Christmas songs, as well as listening to some of their own works they've written. After the concert, we went looking at Christmas lights for awhile. It was a fun evening!

Thursday

I went out with a guy tonight and we had so much fun! It was a blind date set up by a dear friend of mine. We went to my favorite resturaunt, Zupas, and went to the Christmas Carol play downtown Salt Lake City. It was so fun! It has been a long time since I have been to a play or musical. It was quite fun for me. We talked awhile after the play. It was so nice to be with someone who is older than 7! I had a great night.

Wednesday

I went on a date with a guy on Wednesday and had a great time! We went to a museum here in Utah. There were so many wonderful pieces of work! I couldn't believe how old some of the pieces were! We saw things dating back to early 14 century and even earlier than that. The art work was incredible. It was fascinating to see the different styles so closely together and to look at different art in a variety of cultures. I especially love the pottery.

Book of Mormon Challenge

I moved into the ward in August. I didn't hear until recently the Stake President gave our ward a challenge to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. It's somewhat a blessing I was sick for so long because then I was able to listen to the Book of Mormon on line and finish it on time. I have never read it in such a short period of time. It is the most incredible experience I have had reading the Book of Mormon. When I read it earlier, I would forget the characters circumstances when a later prophet would refer to an earlier account. This time, there as an intense connection through each experience and account. This time reading it (or listening to it) I have seen the power of Heavenly Father and the pride of men causing their own fall. It's incredible to see the faith of men fail in such a short time period. I have such a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon being another testament of Christ and as we follow the precepts will bring us to Christ. What an incredible book.

If I HAAAAAVE To...

Last week, I finally got help in my room that I have been praying and asking for since I started working for Entheos Academy. Things have really turned around. I am seeing significant improvements. By Friday, I was ready for a break. I went on a date with Rick and started feeling sick right after the date with regular cold type stuff. I decided to take a lazy day Saturday so I wouldn't have to miss any work. I did go to the Temple that day, but that was about it. Sunday came around and I felt worse. I ended up staying in bed all day that day. Monday came. I went in to do substitute plans because it was apparent I wasn't going to be able to teach that day. Maybe I just needed a long weekend. Tuesday came. I felt pretty good. I got to work and it went down hill from there. I did most of my teaching from a chair in front of the class because I was too dizzy to stand and turn my head. That's when I started to get dizzy, lightheaded and a massive headache that nothing would relieve me from. By one o'clock I went home. I experienced something like this a year ago when I was student teaching and nobody knew what it was. GREAT...back to that. I was sick for an entire week and was so dizzy and sick all I could do was lay in bed holding on to the walls to remind my body I wasn't in a spinning ride at the circus. I went to an urgent care last night and they told me I had a severe sinus infection and to stay home from work the next two days. Now, I have my fleece to make blankies for babies in China, my movies and light cherry limeade. Besides my headache, dizziness, runny nose and sensitivity to light and sound, I am enjoying this break! I'm just glad this happened this week and not next week-

Anyone want to come join the party?

Blessings of a Temple

After reading Mom's blog about attending the Temple for the first time since arriving in China (in the last 18 months) I felt a need to share how thankful I am for a temple that is so close to my home. I went to the Temple yesterday with my old ward from Provo. They came up to go to the Salt Lake Temple. They literally LIVE on the same street as the Temple in Provo but wanted to drive an hour to attend the Salt Lake Temple. The Temple we attend in this area is the Jordan River Temple which is about 10-15 minutes from my house. I couldn't believe how long it took my family, and how expensive it is to go worship at a Temple. They had to cross many boundaries, so besides making sure a Temple Recommend was in hand, a passport was also manditory. Having the right amount of money, which was quite a lot, and the time and transportation, and hotels just showed how dedicated the members need to be in those areas of the world where Temples aren't very close to them. How thankful I am to be close to MANY temples and for the dedication of those who are not close to temples who show us we should be going more than just once or twice a month. Thanks for sharing Mom and Dad!

It's Finally Starting!

The last four months, to be honest, have been an absolute nightmare. This is actually putting things mildly. I have not had any support for the challenges in my room. I have 26 students. 2 of which should be in self contained classes with a one on one teacher. I have three (that are identified and diagnosed) emotionally disturbed kids, 2 kids who can't add basic numbers are read a complete sentence. These are just a few issues. I have about 9 others who should be pulled out for special ed for half the day. Did I mention the emotionally disturbed kids are triplets? The lowest kids are brother and sister who are cousins to one of the other students, too. So, problems from home come to school, which is never helpful! That leaves 10 who are emotionally, mentally and physically capable of handling a regular work load any second grader would be asked to accomplish. But the history is only beginning. Last year, this class was altogether and had a teacher who was fired half way through the year. Up until that point, the teacher ran a glorified day care center. Four other teachers and adults were in the room at all times to cram a years worth of information into several months before being let out for the summer and forgetting most of it. This is where I come in...literally. I was hired, not told of the situation. After assessing the situation the first day, I knew I was in over my head. It has been a struggle ever since. I've had a boss who told me I was stubborn and unwilling, a mentor who talked poorly about me to my fellow teachers behind my back, being told it would just take time and I needed to learn how to teach kids. FINALLY- someone heard me and came to see what my room was like. She set up a system where the students and parents were held accountable for their actions. The severe needs of my room are FINALLY being heard and addressed. The severely emotionally disturbed kids needs are being addressed, I have more support from by boss and we are making progress. I AM FINALLY HEARD!

Drinking and Driving

I was returning home from President Cowley's Sunday night. I turned on a street to go to my house and heard a sloshing noise. It was the kind of sloshing you hear when you drink a lot and all the liquid is sitting in your stomach. I thought it was strange-I didn't drink almost anything the past little while and forgot about the incident. Yesterday, I was coming home and heard that same noise and remembered I have a bottle of windshield wiper fluid sitting on the floor behind my seat. That was the liquid I heard when turned the corner on Sunday. I had to laugh out loud when I figured that out. :)

Food, Family, Football; What More Could You Want?

I woke up way earlier last Wednesday to finish up a project and get on the road. It was a pleasant drive, but the best part was Jeni wasn't expecting me until later that day. I arrived in the early morning. In fact, Jen and Mel were still asleep when I arrived. I got to surprise them! We had a great 5 days playing games (I played Risk for the first time ever....I would not make a good country stealer.) We played lots of Nert and ate lots of pie. We played football before Thanksgiving dinner and watched movies until wee hours of the morning. It has been so long since I have played this hard for so long. It was wonderful! I even got to ride Chester, Harrison's horse. He certainly didn't want to be out of his stall, let alone someone riding on his back. I can't blame him, I wouldn't want to run the day after Thanksgiving either. :) We attended a session in the Manti Temple early Saturday morning and went to church Sunday. I even got to spend time making cards, which I haven't done for a long time. I also had a quote book that had bleach spilled on it, so I needed to transfer all my quotes to a new book. That took some time-It was a badly needed break that flew by! I loved every minute of it. Thanks, Harrison Family, for letting me make such great memories with you!

I arrived back home Sunday evening just in time to change my clothes and drive up to President and Sister Cowley's home in Murray for a fireside held for those who served in the West Virginia Charleston Mission. It was good to see a couple missionaries that I knew there. Most people who came served after I returned home, so I got to meet new people. It was fun. The best part of the day was coming home and going to bed at 9:15 pm and sleeping until 6:15 am. It was glorious!!!