What an evening...

The other evening I was heading over to Gulfport to do some shopping. I was crossing over the railroad tracks heading to Beach Blvd so I could take the scenic route. As I looked to the west, I saw the biggest, most beautiful full moon. To my east was a beautiful sunset on the water. I want to share these two fantastic scenes that I saw...ENJOY!!!

What a good morning!

Well, the other day I woke up to a very unusual kind of morning. What was falling out of the sky... SNOW! YES! I really think I was the only person really excited to see snow falling from the sky. I was also disappointed that it wasn't sticking or that it only lasted about 25 minutes. It was really pretty falling. If only we lived a little bit more north maybe it would have stuck and not melted as soon as it hit the ground. Here are a few pictures of the unexpected snow fall...



Oh I also have this theory that when we get snow on the Gulf Coast we get a hurricane the next year.
Snow Christmas day 2004 - Katrina 2005

I am testing my theory this next year.

I know, I know...

I'm BORING!

Really, I am trying not to be. I'm home. Visiting with the fam. Going through all my boxes trying to downsize. I did dog sit this past weekend. That really wasn't too exciting. Just me and Brat sitting on the couch watching tv. Well I watched tv, Brat slept. Oh we did go for a walk to the beach...that was the most exciting thing we did.

Oh tonight I did go to Gulfport and visited with James, Krissy and Streett. He is so stinking cute. Starting to walk. Loved when I did this little piggy...he has the greatest laugh! And he can say my name! YAY me! And I am a bit stoked that I may get to watch him while Krissy and James go to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl over New Years (Go Rebels!!!)... James' mom is suppossed to watch him but maybe I will get lucky and get to spend 3 days with the little guy!

Next Wednesday Adrienne and I are going to get our hair cut... should I get a trim or do something new and exciting??? Opinions welcome!

I am applying like crazy to districts everywhere... as I noted in my previous post. No calls yet, but some have contacted my references, so that is a good sign. Right? I think so.

I am trying to get all my cousins together to go to Christmas in the Oaks in New Orleans. (Oh it is now called Celebration in the Oaks... you know all the politically correct junk- I still call it Christmas...) It is seriously my favorite part of the all the holiday festivities.

So that is all for today. I will try to be a bit more exciting. I promise!

Cheerio!

Leaving Las Vegas

Well, a week ago I left Las Vegas...one moment please, I have to wipe the tears away.

Ok, yes it was very sad. In the short time I lived in Vegas, I grew to love the city. I tried to utilize every spare moment I had to take in all the city/area had to offer. I think I did pretty good at exploring and discovering all the beauty and excitement Las Vegas has to offer. I wouldn't have minded staying a little longer, but the earliest I could get a job there is mid January. So I could end up back there if nothing else comes along before then.

After leaving Vegas, I spent a few days in Dallas at Cat's house. It was pretty fun. Now I am home...blah. I am dog sitting for Aunt Kim while she and Mark are in Oxford for a wedding. Other than hanging out with the dog, I have been nonstop applying for jobs. I have been applying EVERYWHERE... Texas, Arizona, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virgina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, New York, Washington DC, just to list a few.

Well, that's all I have to say about that! I need to watch the Bama/Florida game!

Later Gators

Still Alive..

Hey Yall!

I just wanted to let you now that I am still alive. Right now I am somewhere in Oklahoma for the day - Cat and I are hanging out with Kelsie Jo at the college she goes to. Cat and I were laughing at how here we are college graduates and what do we do... get up before the sun rises to go to class with Kelsie Jo. Nuts I know. But we are having fun hanging out in the library while KJ is in her oh so full history class.

Later today we will be going to the famous Jones BBQ... well it is famous if you live in the Denison/Sherman/McKinney Texas area. I am stoked, I love some good BBQ. Tomorrow we are heading into Dallas to watch Kidd Kraddic in the Morning radio show being broadcast. I have listened to the show for almost 10 years, so this will be exciting to get to see it live. Maybe if we are lucky, we may get to be on air. This is our goal for tomorrow. So, if you are somewhere where a station broadcast them, listen up becasue we could be on the radio. After KKITM, Kj, Cat and I are heading to Cats mom's book club meeting. It's a big thing... she said usually about 40 or so people show up. I haven't read or heard of the book they are going over (I don't remember the name), so I won't be able to give much imput. Oh well. They are going to have these amazing crousiants and chicken salad, so that will be good. :)

After Tuesday, plans have not been made... maybe we will just sleep in :)

That's all for now folks

To All My Family and Friends....

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

One More Day

YAY!! One more day of student teaching! One more day and I will FINALLY and officially be a college graduate! It has taken long enough to get to this point. However, I would not change a thing on my path that would have made me get to this point sooner.

So, all my students know that tomorrow is my last day. The past two weeks have been getting harder as I have been trying to prepare myself to leave...and to let you know I don't think I have done a good job at preparing myself. Just thinking about it makes me get all teary eyed. I have been with these students (and I think of them as my kids) for 12 weeks now. I saw them all walk in on the first day of school like deer caught in headlight. Scared, curious, eager, an empty vessel wanting to be challenged and filled with knowledge. In the past 12 weeks, I have seen each of them grow and make progress... some in leaps and bounds and some in baby steps, but progress none the less. Today three of my students were bawling because I was leaving. I told them there were no tears allowed until tomorrow. But I had to turn my back when I finished saying it to wipe away my tears. I love my kids. I don't think I am ready to move on yet, but I have to.

You know, it's scary to think that you can single handedly be responsible for someones future. Sometimes I doubt myself and the gift I have been given to be a good teacher. Not to sound boastful, but I know I am good teacher. I have the evaluations to prove it. I have a cooperating teacher that brags about me to every other teacher. However, I always wonder if I am doing all that I can. Where can I improve? What can I do different to make sure each one of them understands what is being taught? Are my lessons enough to challenge those that need to be challenged but not too much to leave those that struggle hanging? I worry.

So now as I am getting ready for tomorrow, I have endless possibilities ahead of me. I have to opportunity to (hopefully) make a difference in another group of students lives. I have been applying EVERYWHERE and have had a few nibbles on my bait. I won't be staying here in Las Vegas for now, but I may be back in January. But Las Vegas is only one of my options. I know I will end up where I should be and where I will be needed most. I will keep yall posted on the happenings of where I am heading on my next adventure in my life!

Twilight Review

So, I saw the movie this past week.

What I was expecting...no.
Was it good...yes.
Would I see it again....not in theaters, but when it comes to Redbox for a buck, sure
Will I buy it.... possibly

I was a bit disappointed with the movie. Don't get me wrong, I liked it. However I don't like how much things were changed from the book. They played up the bad vampires too much. In the book, they didn't even show up until the end! I know, I know... it's hard to fit 700 + pages into 2 hours, but it was little details...like Edwards car, Bella's prom shoe, the first kiss (it was by her truck not her bedroom),"spider monkey" etc...

I really don't want to rant and rave about the thing I didn't like and I am sorry I have, so in short, the book is a MILLION TIMES better than the movie.

Please let me tell you what I did like:

Charlie made me laugh...I didn't think he was that funny
I seemed to laugh quite a bit throughout the movie actually, I don't remember doing that when reading the book ... I like to laugh
Emmett....HOT HOT HOT
Forget team Edward and team Jacob ... I am now on TEAM EMMETT!
The baseball game.... it is my favorite in the book and the movie
Quote: Do you think she likes Italian? Here name is Bella!
Mike Dexter is Dr Cullen.... if you have see Can't Hardly Wait, you will know who Mike Dexter is
Dancing around the fire in the ballet studio
Alice 'taking care' of James

GO TEAM EMMETT!!!

Another Countdown

I am pretty sure I posted earlier about how lately I have had so many countdowns to important events in my life...end of semesters, graduation, student teaching, etc... Well, here is yet anther one. the END of student teaching! Yes, I officially only have 7 teaching days left. I can't believe how fast time has flown by. I am really going to miss my students that in the past 12 weeks, I have grown to love so much! The other day they asked when I was leaving and I got teary eyed when I had to tell them soon. Oh next Tuesday will be an emotional day!

Thanksgiving Podcast

As you all know Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that pesky farmer will be looking for a turkey for dinner. My students had an assignment to disguise their turkey so the farmer couldn't find it for Thanksgiving dinner.... enjoy! First graders are so stinkin cute!

Can You Find The Turkey???


There is a link for the girls and one for the boys... it was so long it had to be split!

Again, ENJOY!!

Let Me Catch You Up....

I am sorry it has been quite awhile since I last posted anything. Things here in Las Vegas are crazy, as usual - and I don't expect anything less from this crazy city... I LOVE it! I will try my best to catch you up with my life over the past couple of weeks. It will be long but please bear with me and enjoy!!

1
I have been sick, as I informed in my last post. I really really hate being sick, but being in 1st grade is like swimming daily in a petri dish of germs. In the past 12 weeks, I have had a head cold - twice, 24 hour stomach flu twice and a sinus infection (that probably isn't from the germs, but I was still sick). I am finally better now, but not 100%. I still have a stuffy nose and my hearing in one ear sounds a bit like a tunnel. However, it is better than it was at the beginning of the week.

2
Halloween was a big excitement at school. A costume parade, class parties, trunk or treat, and a carnival. For the 2 weeks before this festive day, everyone was a buzz on what was going on and what needed to be done. The 4th grade was in charge of the carnival as their fund raiser for their big white water rafting trip at the end of the year. Nicole and I volunteered to make a cake for their cake walk. We decided to be very festive with it and decided to make a spider web cake... now please note we are NOT professional cake decorators nor do we claim to be...but I think it turned out pretty cute... take a peek!
Pretty cute, eh? And it has 50 spider rings on it!

Now, I don't know what it is with my roommates and friends when it comes to cake and icing, but it never stays on the cake and never makes straight into our mouths. As Nicole and I were icing the cake, the icing monsters in us came alive and attacked Cat Then I got Nicole Then they got me Me and Cat...aren't we sweet as icing?? Covered in icing
A bit juvenile but we had fun and that is all that counts!!!

3
I know I posted a sneak peek of my Halloween costume and never followed up with pictures. I am sorry. I NEVER dress up for Halloween, but my students kept asking what I was going to be and they were all so excited about their costumes for our school parade, that I decided I had no choice but to dress up as something. Well, I am still fairly poor and I didn't want to pay too much for a costume. I decided to be a witch. I have a black dress with white polka dots, so that would be my outfit. All I had to do was accessorize...which is the fun part! I found a coupon for a costume shop and use that to get my oh so cool green and black knee highs (so they were only $2.89 including tax). I found a hat at Target on sale for $1.50. At this point I had spent under $5 ... WOO HOO! Since I was so frugal on my costume thus far, I decided to spurge for some fake eyelashes...and they were under $3 to boot!!! SWEET! Now I was kinda excited to get all dressed up for Halloween. I started getting ready Thursday morning (we had Oct 31 off for Nevada day so we did everything on the 30th) and I wasn't feeling so hot and I got sick. I thought maybe it was just a fluke thing so I continued getting ready. I was queezy on the way to school and ate a few crackers to see if it would help...nope. I got to school and when Mrs. M walked in the first thing she said way wow you look green... and I wasn't wearing any face paint! I lasted about 5 more minutes before grabbing the garbage can and headed to the bathroom. Needless to say I was sent home after that. I didn't object. 3 of my kids were out during the week with the same thing and I caught it! So I went home, turned my air to 70 and put on a movie, I fell asleep and woke up around 2:30 feeling much better. Lynley came down that night to spend the night. So I lent her my wicked cool knee highs and my hat to wear to work on Friday night so she could be in the Halloween spirit. I didn't get any pictures except what I already posted and of my sweet eyelashes. Did I mention they had rhinestones on them...everything is better with SPARKLE!!!!!!
4
Halloween Day I was feeling WAY better! Sariah's friend Vance was in town so we took him down to the Strip. We went to Mandalay to see if we could get into the Shark Reef... it was crazy, since the kids were off school, everyone had the same idea as we did or so it seemed. The shark reek had free admission for kids in costume - we decided to cancel that part of our day. We started walking through the shops to the Luxor on our way to M&M world when we were stopped by this friendly young man. He convinced us to go with him to preview a TV show for NBC... and it didn't hurt that we would get paid $15 each... YES! So an hour later we each walk out $15 dollars richer. We went to M&M world, Coke world, and MGM to see the lion habitat (which was closed).
By this time we were hungry and it was happy hour at Chevy's... you can't beat $3 appetizers that are big enough to feed 3 people! When we don't feel like cooking, it's a cheap alternative for dinner.. and delish to boot! When we finished there, Sariah and Vance wanted to watch scary movies... which the rest of us are not fans of. So, Nicole, Cat and I went down to Fremont Street. I loved the drive there down the Strip looking at everyone out in their costumes...some good, some not so good. It was Cat's first time on Fremont. We stopped at one casino for deep fried Oreo's...interesting... grossly sweet, but I would eat them again. Cat opted for the deep fried Twinkie instead and topped that off with a frozen chocolate dipped banana.

We also popped into the Golden Nugget to see the World's Largest Gold Nugget

We meandered back out to Fremont to see the Visiontron... which we missed, but walked around checking out costumes and listening the two bands... one was there last time we were and the other was a pretty good country guy (we liked him most). We were taking pictures of ourselves (heads together and camera outstreched as usual) when this guy in a mask comes up behind us and said "why don't you take a picture with me". We were a bit creeped out by it but Nicole opted out of the picture and took it. What was more creepy was he rubbed our necks and told us "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"...GROSS FREAKY BOY! He handed Cat his phone and said he wanted the picture, she looked petrified and handed it to me. Now using my quick as a roadrunner skills, I naturally put in a fake number and told him to call us. We decided to leave after that but didn't want to be close to him so we opted to go through the Golden Nugget (which we were by) to lose him on the street. While we were in there, Nicole and Cat were fascinated by people playing on this MASSIVE slot machine... it was pretty cool, but I wandered off and found a bit of paradise. I found the pool. Now you may be wondering why I would consider this paradise....it had a fish tank in the middle of it with sharks. I made myself comfortable on one of the beach chairs and got lost watching the fish swim. I was interrupted by my phone and gave the girls directions to my new secret place. It was a beautiful night, clear, cool and the waterfalls were soothing as we watched the fish.
Oh notice the water slide that goes through the middle of the fish tank... too cool!!!

5
Two weekends ago, Sariah, Cat and I were heading to a Hoe Down out at Hidden Valley Ranch (our Bishops ranch in North LV). We were running late, but hey it takes time to turn ourselves into cute cowgirls! We were finally on the road when Mel and Daisy called ... they left an hour before we did and they still weren't there. We were stopped in traffic so we discussed the situation of an hour drive ahead of us (or longer depending on the traffic situation)and decided on going to Wendy's ... it doesn't compare to the food we would have had but we were hungry and didn't want to drive for at least another hour. Don't worry looking cute didn't go to waste... we were at Flamingo and decided to go explore New York New York casino... we found the roller coaster and the dueling piano bar. So the night wasn't a complete waste. Ok, I know I don't look like a cowgirl but I am a city girl... this was the best I could come up with out of my closet.

So folks, that is all for now. I am tired of writing and need to work on my work sample and I am sure you are tired of reading. Thanks for stopping by and have a FANTASTIC day!

F.Y.I.

I HATE being sick!

I truly believe with all my heart that first grade is a breeding ground for sick germs. I am yet again sick....stuffy nose, sore throat, etc... on Thursday I felt like I picked up the flu from my little ones this past week (2 were out with it). It was so bad that my teacher told me I looked green and sent me home before school started. I slept the day away and woke up feeling better....however, I missed the Halloween party at school....bummer.

I have been told my first year of teaching will break me with being sick and then I will become this amazing immune super human to all little kid illnesses.... I am wondering if student teaching will count for part of my first year?

Sorry for whining... I can get like that when I don't feel so hot. I am off for some Theraflu night time....

4

Here is a survey I got from my old roomie for Judson, Jennifer, and thought it was fun...


Four family members:
Mom, Robin, Nana, hmmm... how do I pic from the rest?

ayFour places that I go to over and over:
Kesterson ES, home, Target and the Strip (for all the free things to do and people watching...oh so fun!)

Four people who e-mail me (regularly):
David is the only person I get emails from daily and they are just forwards ... I guess Mom, Lynley and BYUI student updates (sad I know)

Four of my favorite places to eat:
In N Out, Port O' Call, Golden Spoon, Waffle House

Four places I would rather be right now:
London, Norway, Florida Keys, home

Four TV shows I watch over and over:
Reba, One Tree Hill, Army Wives, Friends

Four things in the room I'm in:
Fan, Cat (my roommate not the animal), bed, fatty Diet Coke

Four concerts I've been to:
NKOTB, Jimmy Buffet, Boys II Men, Kenny Chesney,

Four things on my calendar:
Cat's Birthday, Last day of student teaching, Job Interview with CCSD, Jenn's Birthday

Four fears:
Obama being elected (can that count as 4??), being struck by lightning, being alone, creepy guys in masks telling me what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

Four things in your purse or wallet:
Cash, Credit Card, Camera, Tootsie Rolls

Four chores you hate doing:
Folding laundry, washing windows, mopping, sweeping

Four favorite animals:
Cats, alligators, moose, giraffe

Four speed dials on your cell phone:
I don't use my speed dial

Four places you have called home:
Waveland, Rexburg, Las Vegas, Hattiesburg

Four favorite pieces of jewelry:
Sapphire ring, diamond necklace, bling stud earrings, pearls

Four websites you visit:
My blog, facebook, myspace, gmail

Four people who have been in your car:
Cat, Nicole, Andra, Lynley

Four things you are wearing:
Green shirt, earrings, pj pants, undershirt

Four things you are looking forward to:
end of student teaching, getting a job, visiting home, and Europe 2009

Four favorite types of candy:
Twix, starburst, Orbitz gum, tootsie rolls

Four sports teams you like:
Saints, Braves, any college football team, Seawolves

Four things found in your fridge:
Tortillas, cheese, ham, cottage cheese

Four rituals you do daily:
shower, brush teeth, check email, yoga pushups

Four things currently within reach:
Fatty Diet Coke, Dan in Real Life DVD, scriptures, my huggy bear (my bear I have had since I was a baby)

Four things you know how to cook:
Green chili enchiladas, gumbo, yummy homemade mac and cheese, lasagna

Four Halloween costumes you've worn:
witch, little orphan annie, ummm... I can't remember back that far

Four Favorite Movies:
Sweet Home Alabama, Steel Magnolias, Cars, Dead Poets Society

Sneak Peek!

Ok... here is a sneak peek of my Halloween costume!

My newest podcast!!!

Ok.. .my class has created a new pod cast... this time the students drew themselves in their Halloween costumes and then we added their voices to the pictures...and animated them!!! Follow the link and enjoy!!! Click on Happy Halloween!

Halloween Podcast

The Legend of the Great Bambino

Babe Ruth.... the Great Bambino. Practically if not the greatest baseball player ever. A couple of weeks ago I went to the wax museum here in Las Vegas and was able to take a picture with the Babe Ruth.


Pretty cool I know.

The reason for this post is last week I had the opportunity and privilege to go to Nicole's 4th grade classroom where she had a special guest come speak to her students. No it wasn't Babe Ruth - he's dead - but the closest thing to him... his daughter. Mrs. Julia Ruth Stevens. Now you may be asking how on earth could Nicole get the Great Bambino's daughter to come visit her class??? Well, let me tell you she is pretty amazing and she has made friends with a hook up. Mrs. Steven's daughter-in-law, the other Mrs. Stevens, works at our school. Sweet hook up isn't it? So Mrs. Juila Ruth Stevens talked to the 4 graders about her father and his life. They had many questions for her about him and herself. It was a very interesting to hear stories about Babe Ruth from someone who was close to him and was there to witness it. She even told the story about the day her dad pointed to the outfield and then hit a homerun. I must say it was definitely one of the highlights of my life thus far.

Night Out

After working on lesson plans and grading papers all day, Cat, Nicole and I wanted to get out of our apartments for awhile. We decided to go to Ethel M chocolate factory (since it is free) and cactus gardens. Well, it was closed. So we went and grabbed some dinner at Chipolte...yummy! and went to this fantastic spot on Sunset that I discovered. Ok first let me say that I have this strange fascination with airplanes. I think it is so cool that this chunk of metal carrying people and luggage can lift into the sky and stay there for hours at a time. Well, I found this place on Sunset where you can sit and watch the runway at LV airport. I was totally stoked. We watched planes land and take off for about 30 minutes then went to our favorite place...Golden Spoon! for some after dinner frozen yogurt.

We did all this to kill some time while we were waiting on Sariah to call so we could meet up with her friends on the strip. Well, plans fell through so the three of us decided to head to the Belliago and watch the fountains...Nicole had never seen them. Well, the weather was BEAUTIFUL, small breeze and perfect temperature - not too cold and not hot at all! The fountains were fantastic - as always! And in the botanical garden inside they had redecorated for fall... pumpkins, raining trees and gourds and tons of orange, yellow and red. There was also a very cool chocolate fountain - not in the garden but by the spa. A fun night out with friends. **Please note that better pictures of the gardens will come shortly...the dark lighting in there did not show the true beauty of the scenes! We are going back Halloween day to take more!**

Part of a Dream Come True Part Deux

Some people are braver than others just handing off their camera to a complete stranger in a very crowded night club...aka our new friend Sara. Well, she emailed the pics from her camera today and I must say I need to be more trusting with my electronics. Why you may ask... here are the results of her over trusting nature....enjoy I know I did!!!






These are WAY better than the pictures I took... maybe because I was not in at the table right below theirs!

Oh ALSO ... this picture was taken from the balcony of LAX....



What a great night!!!

Part of a Dream Come True

Last night was THE BIG NIGHT! New Kids on the Block after concert after party at LAX night club at the Luxor. YIPPEE!!! Sariah and I got there about 10:45 (Nicole couldn't go because here wallet was stolen the first week we moved in and the great state of Washington has yet to send her new drivers license - so she couldn't get in without idea...we were all bummed about it.) While waiting in line, we met a new friend... Sara... she was in town for a business trip and loves NKOTB as much as Sariah and I! YAY!

Sara, Sariah and I in LAX!

We finally got in around 11ish, ok so it wasn't that long of a wait but it felt like forever! Once inside it wasn't too bad at first - we actually had room to dance and move. The more people that came the worse it got. I was dancing with all the people around me...it was crazy ... I am not into dancing all up on random people nor am I a fan of having random people dance (or gyrate) all up on me! We found out the boys would be arriving around 12:30 ... however a special guest did arrive around 11:45 ... Guess who....

It's Mr. Belding from Saved By The Bell!!!

Nuts I know... Sariah and I were both thinking isn't he a bit old to be doing the club scene??

Well, FINALLY at almost 1am the host of the party decided to make their appearance... here are the pictures from the rest of the night....

Donnie coming in like the pop star he is

The boys at their table partying like rock stars

The guys... Danny scratching his face

Danny Wood

Danny smiling for the camera

I think this picture of Jordan is so funnyJordan Knight

The guys dancing....raising their hands like they just don't care .. .and Joey Joe

Donnie Walhberg

This is Jon and his friend taking a picture of me... Jon thinks I looked pretty hot and now he can look at my picture everyday...hehe

Jordan smiling

Danny telling Jordan that Sariah and I were in the house....let the party begin! Oh note the guys in the white shirts...there were of them all dressed alike and all had the same hair do....really, can you have your own look??

Joey.... I was going to be his wife

Joey McIntyre!!!!

Donnie telling Jordan how hot Sariah and I were... Jordan agreed just look at the smile on his face!

It was such a FANTASTIC night! We left a bit after 3 in the morning and had breakfast/dinner at the IHOP. What a great night! Here is Sariah and I on our way out of the club...

Happier than if we were at Disney World!