Happy Thanksgiving! I love the holiday season (as made perfectly clear in at least 3 of my most recent posts). I love seeing friends and family that I haven't seen in ages. During the catching-up phase, there's always what has become for me, a loaded question: "How are things at work? Are you going to stay there next year?" Now, no one at work knows about my blog, so, I'm safe in saying here that I'm not positive that I'm going to stay. I've been there for going on 3 years now, if you include my undergraduate work. But, recently I've been feeling an urgency to figure out what I'm going to do next year - and :: gasp :: that could mean moving on. So here are the options I'm debating. There's basically 3:
1 - teach in a different district
2 - do a master's program in Education
3 - stay in my current district/school AND do a Master's program (a two-year program)
Ok, so, I'm not entirely thrilled about #1. We all know how great I am with change and moving districts isn't exactly exciting. But, I do feel like a Master's is good for me right now. The only question is when and where I will get one. Now there's one good reason to stay put and get one here: I have a family there that I'm really close to and I want to teach their daughter next year, and she wants to be in my class really bad. Ok, and there are other reasons - lower cost, more convenient, no thesis, etc.
However, it is still a major debate - one that needs some serious attention from me and soon so I don't miss deadlines and such. So, that's what I've been thinking about on this Thanksgiving day, as I reflected on the blessings in my life and the wonderful people who have influenced my life for good.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Happy Birthday to Me!
My 23rd birthday is in two days. Wow. I love having a birthday close to Thanksgiving, and as that holiday nears each year, I pause to reflect on the joy and fun of birthdays, Thanksgivings and Christmases past.
I love Thanksgiving because it means that Christmas is right around the corner, and with it a myriad of joyful festivities. This year, I'm excited for Jon Schmidt, Eclipse, the First Presidency Devotional, The Polar Express, Temple Square, The Forgotten Carols, A Christmas Carol, and of course, hot chocolate, snow, sledding, sweet deliciousness, and Christmas movies every night!
Last night while watching the BYU v. Utah game, I was reminded of one of the best birthdays I've ever had: My 21st Birthday in 2006. For most LDS kids, the 21st birthday is an anti-climatic event. However, for me it was delightful. The day after Thanksgiving, that year, I sped down to Provo to watch the BYU v. Utah game with my roommate and best friend. I distinctly recall watching 3 seconds of glory with a blanket up to my eyes, holding my breath and jumping on the couch and running around the parking lot afterward.
The evening was complete with my roommate having made me a birthday pie - something only my mother has ever done for me, and thoughtful gifts from friends, window-shopping, and then hot chocolate, Krispy Kremes and a Christmas movie with friends, and a party with my family back in Draper.
As I watched and listened to the BYU v. Utah game and then headed to the Coldplay concert, I was flooded with these memories, and couldn't help but be exceedingly happy, in spite of yesterday's loss. It's ok, I can look back on better sports days, and hope in the idea that one day, former glory will return.
I love Thanksgiving because it means that Christmas is right around the corner, and with it a myriad of joyful festivities. This year, I'm excited for Jon Schmidt, Eclipse, the First Presidency Devotional, The Polar Express, Temple Square, The Forgotten Carols, A Christmas Carol, and of course, hot chocolate, snow, sledding, sweet deliciousness, and Christmas movies every night!
Last night while watching the BYU v. Utah game, I was reminded of one of the best birthdays I've ever had: My 21st Birthday in 2006. For most LDS kids, the 21st birthday is an anti-climatic event. However, for me it was delightful. The day after Thanksgiving, that year, I sped down to Provo to watch the BYU v. Utah game with my roommate and best friend. I distinctly recall watching 3 seconds of glory with a blanket up to my eyes, holding my breath and jumping on the couch and running around the parking lot afterward.
The evening was complete with my roommate having made me a birthday pie - something only my mother has ever done for me, and thoughtful gifts from friends, window-shopping, and then hot chocolate, Krispy Kremes and a Christmas movie with friends, and a party with my family back in Draper.
As I watched and listened to the BYU v. Utah game and then headed to the Coldplay concert, I was flooded with these memories, and couldn't help but be exceedingly happy, in spite of yesterday's loss. It's ok, I can look back on better sports days, and hope in the idea that one day, former glory will return.
Colplay LIVE!!!
Last night was the Coldplay concert in Salt Lake City. I had the privilege of going on a birthdays date with my former roommate - I took her to the concert, she took me to dinner in honor of our respective birthdays.
Getting to the concert itself was an adventure - I had to navigate my way around Daybreak to pick her up and then we had to stop at Verizon because she had broken her phone. Interestingly, while I was in the car listening to the end of a disappointing BYU v. Utah game, she was inside getting asked on a date by two complete strangers... Yeah. We got in the car and giggled the rest of the way to the concert - half floored by the dating situation we'd just encountered (yes I got to meet the gentlemen), and half giddy at being moments away from seeing Coldplay LIVE!!!
We finally made it into the concert about 45 minutes late, and still had to endure about a half hour of the second opener. Yes, I said endure. His music was set to pictures which were at best weird, at worst utterly disturbing. The cheers when he left the stage were almost as loud as the ones when Coldplay entered it.
The reality of being there and seeing Coldplay, for all my giddiness, didn't actually hit me until they arrived on stage. My friends who saw them in Cleveland told me that the concert would be amazing, and it did not disappoint! I have to admit I haven't been thrilled with their newest stuff until the concert - and magically I loved it! I also loved that they played many old favorites - including Fix You and Yellow, which are two of my favorite Coldplay songs of all time! :) It was awesome. I took tons of videos and pictures, but only the videos turned out, so I had to borrow some images from the web. :) Sorry, I don't want to post the videos - it's ten billion times cooler in person! :) So, I second Dave and Mindy's motion - if they come to your town, don't miss them!
Getting to the concert itself was an adventure - I had to navigate my way around Daybreak to pick her up and then we had to stop at Verizon because she had broken her phone. Interestingly, while I was in the car listening to the end of a disappointing BYU v. Utah game, she was inside getting asked on a date by two complete strangers... Yeah. We got in the car and giggled the rest of the way to the concert - half floored by the dating situation we'd just encountered (yes I got to meet the gentlemen), and half giddy at being moments away from seeing Coldplay LIVE!!!
We finally made it into the concert about 45 minutes late, and still had to endure about a half hour of the second opener. Yes, I said endure. His music was set to pictures which were at best weird, at worst utterly disturbing. The cheers when he left the stage were almost as loud as the ones when Coldplay entered it.
The reality of being there and seeing Coldplay, for all my giddiness, didn't actually hit me until they arrived on stage. My friends who saw them in Cleveland told me that the concert would be amazing, and it did not disappoint! I have to admit I haven't been thrilled with their newest stuff until the concert - and magically I loved it! I also loved that they played many old favorites - including Fix You and Yellow, which are two of my favorite Coldplay songs of all time! :) It was awesome. I took tons of videos and pictures, but only the videos turned out, so I had to borrow some images from the web. :) Sorry, I don't want to post the videos - it's ten billion times cooler in person! :) So, I second Dave and Mindy's motion - if they come to your town, don't miss them!
The Colorado Chronicles
So, apparently I do blog barf... Oh well! :)
Last weekend, Chris, Jess and I left insanely early Friday morning and drove to Littleton, Colorado to meet Aubrey at the temple. We traveled with no incidents until we hit Vail - and suddenly there was literally a blizzard. We couldn't see much and the roads were bad. We were in my car (which I have all confidence in), but I was exceedingly grateful that Chris (whom I also have all confidence in) was driving, as I white-knuckled it in the back seat. I'm generally ok in the snow. I usually think it's really pretty, but if it's super heavy, it sometimes makes me feel sick from some weird form of claustrophobia/vertigo. That aside, we made it over the Loveland/Vail pass in about an hour, and drove into a beautifully blanketed Denver.
We changed and went into the temple. It brought indescribable peace and joy to be there, after a long stint away, with people that I loved. After the temple, we split up - girls went shopping in the mall, and Chris went visiting. After the mall, and after a couple getting-lost-detours, we made it to my cousin's house for dinner. It was so fun to see all of them again! Their kids had grown SO much, I just couldn't believe it. We women sat around and talked for awhile and had a wonderful time!
After enjoying some time with my cousins, we headed back to Aubrey's house to spend the night. We got comfy in our pj's and settled down for a movie - which Chris, Jess, and I promptly fell asleep during. :)
The next day was the BYU v. Air Force game - the "real" reason we came down, or at least the excuse we used! We slept in, then decked ourselves out in true blue and drove down to the Academy. Colorado is a beautiful place! The game was rad. We won (of course), and we got to take pictures of the team and with Cosmo afterward. I love going to away games at smaller stadiums. It's great fun! After the game we met up with our friend Laura and met her nephew's and six-day-old niece. Chris and Jess went to visit some of Chris' mission families, and Aubrey and I joined Laura at her ward activity. We all got in pretty late that night after dinner at Applebee's. Interestingly enough, as exhausted as we were we stayed up late making plans for Sunday and pranking the outnumbered boy in the party. :D
Sunday was an adventure all around. Chris had left early with the car to visit the last of his mission buddies, and it wasn't until hours later that I realized that my skirt and one shoe had gone with him - still in the trunk from the temple! At first the girls and I had decided I would be the investigator friend and go in jeans - then we managed to find a skirt and some shoes for me to wear. It was awesome! Chris felt pretty bad, even though he really had nothing to do with our morning adventure. We all met back at Aubrey's and had chili for lunch - Thanks Mama Peterson! Then, once again, we split up - Aubs and I to Greeley for a campus tour of University of Northern Colorado, and Chris and Jess to visit some of Jess' family.
We said our awesome good-byes at a gas station between Loveland and Greeley, and actually headed out at about 8:00 pm. We had fun sending Aubrey our traditional text updates - one of which, unfortunately included a certain someone receiving their first ticket from a grumpy Wyoming cop. Sad day! The stars were beautiful, the music great (thanks Chris!), and the company fabulous, if quiet. We took our turns driving and sleeping, and finally made it back home without incident at about 4:30 am after we'd all unloaded. And yes, yes I did go to school the next day (hence the staying at a friend's house in Heber the next night).
The trip was AMAZING! Relationships were repaired and strengthened, and my heart, at least, was comforted with regard to my work and all of the possibilities that truly are out there for me - the possibilities are glorious and endless. As I mentioned before, the timing was no accident - the trip held more for me than I ever anticipated, for which I am forever grateful.
Last weekend, Chris, Jess and I left insanely early Friday morning and drove to Littleton, Colorado to meet Aubrey at the temple. We traveled with no incidents until we hit Vail - and suddenly there was literally a blizzard. We couldn't see much and the roads were bad. We were in my car (which I have all confidence in), but I was exceedingly grateful that Chris (whom I also have all confidence in) was driving, as I white-knuckled it in the back seat. I'm generally ok in the snow. I usually think it's really pretty, but if it's super heavy, it sometimes makes me feel sick from some weird form of claustrophobia/vertigo. That aside, we made it over the Loveland/Vail pass in about an hour, and drove into a beautifully blanketed Denver.
We changed and went into the temple. It brought indescribable peace and joy to be there, after a long stint away, with people that I loved. After the temple, we split up - girls went shopping in the mall, and Chris went visiting. After the mall, and after a couple getting-lost-detours, we made it to my cousin's house for dinner. It was so fun to see all of them again! Their kids had grown SO much, I just couldn't believe it. We women sat around and talked for awhile and had a wonderful time!
After enjoying some time with my cousins, we headed back to Aubrey's house to spend the night. We got comfy in our pj's and settled down for a movie - which Chris, Jess, and I promptly fell asleep during. :)
The next day was the BYU v. Air Force game - the "real" reason we came down, or at least the excuse we used! We slept in, then decked ourselves out in true blue and drove down to the Academy. Colorado is a beautiful place! The game was rad. We won (of course), and we got to take pictures of the team and with Cosmo afterward. I love going to away games at smaller stadiums. It's great fun! After the game we met up with our friend Laura and met her nephew's and six-day-old niece. Chris and Jess went to visit some of Chris' mission families, and Aubrey and I joined Laura at her ward activity. We all got in pretty late that night after dinner at Applebee's. Interestingly enough, as exhausted as we were we stayed up late making plans for Sunday and pranking the outnumbered boy in the party. :D
Sunday was an adventure all around. Chris had left early with the car to visit the last of his mission buddies, and it wasn't until hours later that I realized that my skirt and one shoe had gone with him - still in the trunk from the temple! At first the girls and I had decided I would be the investigator friend and go in jeans - then we managed to find a skirt and some shoes for me to wear. It was awesome! Chris felt pretty bad, even though he really had nothing to do with our morning adventure. We all met back at Aubrey's and had chili for lunch - Thanks Mama Peterson! Then, once again, we split up - Aubs and I to Greeley for a campus tour of University of Northern Colorado, and Chris and Jess to visit some of Jess' family.
We said our awesome good-byes at a gas station between Loveland and Greeley, and actually headed out at about 8:00 pm. We had fun sending Aubrey our traditional text updates - one of which, unfortunately included a certain someone receiving their first ticket from a grumpy Wyoming cop. Sad day! The stars were beautiful, the music great (thanks Chris!), and the company fabulous, if quiet. We took our turns driving and sleeping, and finally made it back home without incident at about 4:30 am after we'd all unloaded. And yes, yes I did go to school the next day (hence the staying at a friend's house in Heber the next night).
The trip was AMAZING! Relationships were repaired and strengthened, and my heart, at least, was comforted with regard to my work and all of the possibilities that truly are out there for me - the possibilities are glorious and endless. As I mentioned before, the timing was no accident - the trip held more for me than I ever anticipated, for which I am forever grateful.
Friday, November 21, 2008
So much to be thankful for...
Some people gasp when they learn that I commute 45 minutes each way to and from work daily. Actually, I love the drive and the opportunity it provides for reflection. Once again this evening I was driving home in the darkness and I was listening to Josh Groban's Christmas album and a great song came on. The lyrics struck me powerfully, especially with the situations I've been dealing with both at home and at work.
Somedays we forget
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for
To look around us
Somedays we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be.
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see.
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for.
Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for
As I listened, I was reminded of all of the things I truly have to be thankful for. As my friend's mother reminded us this weekend, "Enjoy the thank you season before the gimme season. I thought about my sweet parents and grandparents, my brother and sister, and all of my extended family members - aunts, uncles, and cousins. I thought about the friends I have been blessed with in my life - near and far, old and new, and especially the friends who have crossed that boundary and feel more like family. I thought about my students, and the blessings of the gospel in my life. I thought about having enough, and being happy. There's too much to list individually.
More than anything else, as I listened to the song, I realized that I have been very frustrated and overwhelmed lately because I've been focusing on the few negative (although rather large) things that have been happening lately, and I've forgotten to look beyond myself and give to those around me. There's always more to do, and ways to improve, but acknowledging that, there's so much to be thankful for.
More than anything else, as I listened to the song, I realized that I have been very frustrated and overwhelmed lately because I've been focusing on the few negative (although rather large) things that have been happening lately, and I've forgotten to look beyond myself and give to those around me. There's always more to do, and ways to improve, but acknowledging that, there's so much to be thankful for.
It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees...
Yes, I have already started listening to Christmas music, mostly just my top 3 favorite albums - Josh Groban's Noel, Sarah McLachlan's Wintersong, and MOTAB's new Rejoice and Be Merry.
After a couple of very stressful weeks at school, I got sick and then took a 3-day vacation to Colorado. The trip is a topic for another post (I don't believe in blog barfing), but I will say that the timing of the trip was no accident. I felt and saw the Lord's guidance in that trip.
So, I think I've gotten an average of 4 hours of sleep over the last 3 days (ranging from 2 - 6 hours each day). However, in spite of still being sick and utterly exhausted, I am happier than I've been in weeks.
I needed that trip - the time away from school, the time in the temple with people I care about, and the time exploring a new area. Even the late-night sleep-deprived drive back was somehow peaceful.
I made it through a Monday and then went to a friend's house for dinner - and then stayed up talking until 1 am, and rather than drive the canyon that late, I spent the night. My roommates were worried, but it felt so good to be there with people I cared about and who cared about me. It felt like being with family.
The next day as I drove home through the Canyon in the dark, I put on some Christmas music. I really love Christmas music - most music makes me feel good, but Christmas music brings an even greater sense of joy, peace, and contentment. It was wonderful! I absolutely love the Christmas season, and everything about it - warm clothes, snow, hot chocolate, lights and decorations, time with friends and family, performances, yummy food, surprises, and most importantly, a time to focus on the Savior. What a wonderful blessing this time of year is! A time of peace. A time of joy. A time of celebration. And a time of love.
After a couple of very stressful weeks at school, I got sick and then took a 3-day vacation to Colorado. The trip is a topic for another post (I don't believe in blog barfing), but I will say that the timing of the trip was no accident. I felt and saw the Lord's guidance in that trip.
So, I think I've gotten an average of 4 hours of sleep over the last 3 days (ranging from 2 - 6 hours each day). However, in spite of still being sick and utterly exhausted, I am happier than I've been in weeks.
I needed that trip - the time away from school, the time in the temple with people I care about, and the time exploring a new area. Even the late-night sleep-deprived drive back was somehow peaceful.
I made it through a Monday and then went to a friend's house for dinner - and then stayed up talking until 1 am, and rather than drive the canyon that late, I spent the night. My roommates were worried, but it felt so good to be there with people I cared about and who cared about me. It felt like being with family.
The next day as I drove home through the Canyon in the dark, I put on some Christmas music. I really love Christmas music - most music makes me feel good, but Christmas music brings an even greater sense of joy, peace, and contentment. It was wonderful! I absolutely love the Christmas season, and everything about it - warm clothes, snow, hot chocolate, lights and decorations, time with friends and family, performances, yummy food, surprises, and most importantly, a time to focus on the Savior. What a wonderful blessing this time of year is! A time of peace. A time of joy. A time of celebration. And a time of love.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
