I see the light

its funny how the spring semester contrasts with the fall/winter semesters. There is a sense of beauty and realization about spring. the nice weather and the knowledge that these 3 hour classes only last for 7 weeks.

 But this semester is different for me as well because it is my last. Sure, my internship is still part of my schooling, but after this short spring semester, my chapter at BYU will be over. 

I will not have any reason to come back, no more classes to take. And for that reason, this semester has taken on special meaning. Especially since I am right back where I started 3 1/2 years ago.. doing G.E classes.

 For the past year and a half, I have focused on my major/minor. These classes were tough and challenged me. But they were very direct in what they were teaching.

 They were all about elementary education and teaching English learners. There was absolutely no diversity. 

Now I am back in general classes where the main theme is 

"you get out of this class what you put into it".

 For me, generals helped me to discover who I was as a freshman and sophomore. They caused me to reflect on myself and the type of person I was.

 I had forgotten about this until now.

 As I sit in these classes, I find myself re-evaluating who I have become, what I believe and more importantly, why I believe. Granted, my classes aren't actually asking me these questions.

 In fact, they are focusing on the topic at hand, in this case, western humanities and religion. Both very thought provoking topics. Both require a lot of self reflection and inner debate.They challenge me and cause me to rethink what I know. 

For example, my humanities teacher asked us to define beauty. 

Not the websters definition but our own. 

Is beauty an action? or is it simply an object?

 How can we give something a grade/ number determining its beauty?

It is these kind of questions that drive and irritate me, all at the same time. I have become accustom to the facts/lecture type of teaching. 

Tell me what I need to know for the test.  

Instead, these classes are pushing me to truly reflect and evaluate what it is that I believe and care about. 

 I have a feeling that I am going to enjoy this last semester at BYU.  

Pleasant Grove

We have been looking at apartments for a few weeks. We knew we wanted to move but honestly, I was not thinking it would happen very soon. Maybe move in may or june. 

Then on Saturday, Ry suggested we just go look at apartments. 

Sure, why not. =) 

How naive I was.... 

We went apartment shopping for about 4 hours, driving around through Orem and Pleasant grove. As we looked, we saw Green Grove.

 We went to look at one of the places and fell in love with the 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment. Next thing I know, we are signing a contract and we are moving in this saturday. 

So on top of last week of classes, 36 hours of work, and finals next week we decided to pack up our little apartment and move north =). 

So Pleasant Grove, watch out, 

here comes the Ford's. 

back to the grind

I am having senioritis. Technically I am a senior. I have two more days of classes then spring semester. That's it. With this being known, going to class has become a difficult thing. Today I have 6 hours of class. So far I am 4 hours into class and.... I have learned nothing productive. It frustrates me because these classes have given me soooooooo much homework and then wastes my time during class. Does anyone else have this problem? 

I am forcing myself to at least look like I am paying attention. That way I can do this said homework and multi-task. BOSS. I hope all you fellow final takers bode well. 

Good luck

welcome finals

As if having finals looming over me was not enough, it is a snow storm today. gross.. I have assignments piling up and finals getting closer and closer. Saying that I am looking forward to the end of the this semester would be an understatement. 2 more weeks I can do this. 

But on a side note, last night as we were going to sleep, Ryan looks over at me and suggests we go on a date this weekend. He suggests two movies. Titanic and Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Ryan has been dying to see Salmon Fishing in the Yemen and yet, he is so cute and suggests Titanic because he knows I wanted to see it. Of course, I chose Salmon Fishing. I have wanted to see that movie too. 

But Ryan made me smile with his thoughtfulness.

 I knew I had a keeper. 

xoxo

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow is my last day in the school! I am sad because I feel like I have definitely developed and grown as a teacher. It has been such a challenge to be in the 5th grade and I feel as if I am finally getting the hang of it. 

And now it is over. 

This practicum has taught me a lot about myself and how I will react to different situations. It has been such an awesome experience and I will be sad to leave Riverside.. especially since it means I now must begin all the assignments that I have forgotten been procrastinating on.Woohoo. 

Now, off to the homework. 

Let me tell you, FUN STUFF! 

Well it is official.

I am a teacher. I was hired by Riverton Elementary to be an intern in the 2nd grade! 

I am ecstatic about the opportunity I have to finally have my own classroom and to inspire these little 2nd graders to learn and grow. My journey officially begins July 25th when the students have their first day of school! I am at a year round school which is exciting for me. This means I am on a 45/15 track. Go to school for 9 weeks and have 3 weeks off.

 I am completely blown away by this opportunity and cannot wait to start this new chapter. I have loved teaching in the 5th grade during this practicum but I have realized that I am definitely a lower grade teacher. I love story time and rug time. I like singing songs and learning brand new things with my students. My only prayer is that I do not let this little souls down. I hope that I can relate to these students and help them to love to learn. 
2nd grade, here I come! 

it is out of my hands

So it is done. My interview is over. Now I sit and wait until the Principals have decided whether or not I am good enough to be apart of their school. I hope I made a good impression but I just don't know what each school was looking for. I will know what will be happening for the next year and a half of my life by 8 pm tonight. Needless to say, 8pm could not come fast enough. 

I want an internship and I hope that all my preparation has made me worthy of the honor. Check into tomorrow to know if I got the coveted internship or not.  =) 

I think about blogging more often than I actually blog

I have read other blogs and been entertained by what is going on in their lives. I just do not think anyone cares enough for me to share those inconsequential things that happen in my life throughout the week. and yet... that is exactly what I am going to do today. Tell you of those events that have filled my life that have been significant to me but may be inconsequential to you.

1. I slept in a tent last night. I made it almost all the way through the night on the hard ground of our living room. This is a big deal for me! I was quite proud. Ryan needed to test out his tent and we thought " what better way to test out a tent's durability than to put it up in the living room?"

2. I taught an entire civil war unit in my 5th grade classroom and actually saw learning happening! It was inspiring to see students, who usually barely write 3 sentences when asked to write an essay, write four pages on the civil war!

3. Marc is a child with mental disabilities who I am teaching how to swim. His simple happiness and joy of life makes me look forward to that half hour I get to spend with him. He lifts my spirit and reminds me of the simple joys in life.

4. Hunger games! I do not care what anyone else says. That movie was good. Sure, there were quite a few things that were different/ not expounded on. But just another reason why I love reading. Books are always better than movies. I loved the Hunger games series and this movie did not disappoint me. I look forward to  the sequel.

5. Sleep. I truly love sleep. It is something that I look forward to every day. Waking up before the sun on a daily basis makes me sad. I miss the sun licking my face to wake me up. Instead I am led down our latter by the light of my phone. gross.

6. Hannah got a free dog yesterday. An adorable black/ golden lab mix named Daisy and then tried to persuade us to take her. Not fair! she was adorable and small and cute and oh so very tempting. But we had to say no. Our apartment does not allow dogs. poo. So Hannah returned the dog.

7. Ryan and I are looking to move. We have loved our place and it was the perfect start to our marriage. But it is time to move to a more conventional home. (doggy friendly please!) Any one know of any place in Orem area? =)

Life is a blessing. My life is crazy and busy and yet, I am loving life and loving the opportunities that allow me to learn and grow. I am not perfect, but I have never pretended to be. I only hope to lay my head on my pillow each night with the comfort of knowing that I am one day closer to being the kind of person who kneels at the Lord's feet and has him say "well done, my child"

the weekend i needed.

Tomorrow is a big day. It is my internship interview. I will find out whether or not a school likes me enough to allow me to teach the students. I AM PETRIFIED! I want an internship so bad and I have done everything in my power to prepare myself. Now I put my fate in the Lord's hands, because I know that He will never lead me astray. My interview is tomorrow at 10 am and I will know by tomorrow night the decision that will effect the next year and a half of our lives!

This weekend was/ is general conference. It is an  excuse to do absolutely nothing and just relax at home listening to the words of the Lord. I took full advantage of this. During the week, I dont see very much of my amazingly handsome husband so this weekend has been incredible as we watched conference together, made shakes, watched Cast Away, slept in a tent in the living room, plan on making enchiladas and just hang out together. I always seem to take for granted how much my man calms me and brings happiness to my soul. Every day I am reminded of the infinite blessings my heavenly father has brought into my life through Ryan. General conference has been amazing as well. The talks so far have answered questions that I did not know I needed answered and the music has been absolutely incredible. It is impossible not to feel of the Spirit while they are singing. 

Life has so many twists and challenges. It is nice to spend a weekend being reminded of the goals and blessings each one of us has.