HALLELUJAH!!!

May I just take a few moments of your time to express my overwhelming joy because I have just (pause, take a breath...) - I have just completed my final final for my bachelor's degree!! Oh HeCk yes!! Another semester down, flattened like a cookie without baking powder! (That is seriously flat-trust me I know!) I am almost there. Only 80 days of student teaching left before I can walk across the podium as a officially cross into the 'real world' of teaching!! ...oh dear! hmmm, okay what do I do now without homework to run my free time?!?!

Oregon: Nov 14th-17th 2008

This was my first trip to the "beaver state" where the state road kill is possum. Seriously within a 10 mile stretch you see 5+ dead possums. So why Oregon? Well my friend, Lynell, grew up there and wanted to surprise a friend at her wedding so I tagged along to provide company and assistance (which I will get to later).

So the trip began at 8pm Thursday night when we left straight from class to Mesa. Woke up at 5:30ish, left for the airport 20 minutes late, checked in our baggage with 2 minutes to spare before the cutoff, got hairspray and facewash confiscated at security (but they didn't take my scissors-something wrong there eh?) and then our names where announced throughout the terminal because we were late. You kind of feel goofy as all eyes on the plane are watching as you walk down the aisle to your seat right before takeoff. I don't recommend it.

When we arrived in Portland, we went to get our rental car. All is good, get in the elevator to go to the car and what do I notice? Lynell's arms are free. I ask her "where is your suitcase?" Poor girl left it at the rental counter. Luckily security was not called on her 'unattended bag'. So she gets her bag and we go out to the car lot. May I add here that we were on a girl's trip and wanted to have fun and part of that fun was the rental car. Long story short Lynell sweet talked the guy into renting a mustang! (Way better than the Dodge neon we were going to drive). Lynell had lots of fun gunnin' it on the freeway and through the streets of Portland. Too bad the blocks were really small so once you gun it and enjoyed the thrill of the horsepower, you have to brake.

Friday we walked the streets of Portland. It was beautiful to see the colorful leaves everywhere. I still kick myself in the pants for not taking any pics because 'I didn't want to look like a tourist'. Stupidest reason ever. Anyways we rode the streetcar, ate a delicious pumpkin bagel w/pumpkin cream cheese (which I have craved since), and shopped Powell's Books, the 2nd biggest book store I have ever seen in my life (the 1st being Barnes and Noble near Rockefeller center in NY). We also survived a brisk walk down Burnside St, which is the equivalent to VanBuren in Phoenix, right as the sun was setting. Little did we know that we would be stared at by the creepiest people, walk around homeless people who we hope were just sleeping and not dead. Lynell decided to walk in the street so we would be farther away from the 'not giving off the best vibe' people down Burnside as I walked with keys between my fingers so I could stab anyone who got in my bubble uninvited. - That's Day 1.

Day 2 - The wedding was in Jefferson, about an hour and a half from Portland. On the way there we got into heavy traffic. Another thing that we did not know was the two BIG football games for OSU Beavers and UofO Ducks in Corvallis and Eugene. Every other car had flags in the windows, pom-poms hanging out the trunk, and duck or beaver footprints on the doors, as thousands of cars headed to the two games. The cute thing of the drive was a little kid holding up his shirts in the window saying "go beavers" and practically jumping out of his seatbelt. We made it to the wedding with minutes to spare because of the traffic. After that we headed to Lincoln City on the Oregon coast (another hour and a half drive) where we had delicious pizza. Then another 30 minute drive to Newport where our hotel was. The hotel was beautiful, right on a cliff overlooking the ocean and we fell asleep listening to the rolling waves.

Day 3 - I love the ocean! It is an amazing thing. Of course it was too cold to play in the water but nothing like a nice morning walk along the beach to start the day off right. It was so peaceful!

The rest of the day we hung out at the harbor and checked out little shops. We also watched a bunch of sea lions. It was funny to watch them yell back and forth at each other. One cranky sea lion kept yelping at a younger one. The young one would put its tail (foot, fins or whatever it is on a sea lion) on the cranky one's face. I think the kidster was just trying to get a rise out of the ol'fogee. When we had inhaled enough fish smell we headed back to Portland. It was quite the trip because half of the way you could only see about 40 feet in front of you because of the fog. After getting lost we got a hotel at 10:30ish. Since we had to be at the airport at 5:30 in the morning we headed to bed.

Day 4 - you would think I would tell you that we woke up, flew home, and unpacked. Well, you are wrong. This time we got to the airport with time to spare though. We got on the plane and we were ready to take a 3 hour nap UNTIL..."Sorry we are not able to take off right now. We are having trouble with the latch on the door. We should be in the air in 10 minutes...30 minutes...1 hour..." Finally 2 hours later they realized that the door and 'other mechanical problems' would not be fixed in order for us to take flight so we had to get off our plane and board another. It was great that everyone on the plane remained calm and didn't complain. I had good company. I sat by a guy from Alaska and he happened to be LDS so we visited the whole time. Anyways, once we were in the air and on the ground again we hopped in the car, drove 3 hours to Pinetop to our class, sat in class another 3 hours, and went to bed. May I say it was one of the longest days of my life... but in all it was an interesting and fun adventure.

More than I thought...

I have been busy with school, subbing, and traveling that I have not updated my blog for over a month. In a way I thought nothing really exciting happened but now I look back and smile at all the fun I have had. I'll do a few posts but here's the first one. So lets travel back to October 16th, 2008. My Grandma Solomon celebrated her 89th birthday. She is such a trooper and I love the spirit she has always had with her. Grandma Solomon has been tried and tested throughout her whole life. She is a great example to me that there is nothing in this life that you cannot handle. She has also continued to have a strong testimony and live the gospel, her faith has been her guide. I LOVE ya Grandma! (Pic of me with her on her birthday)

So next was my birthday-my "Golden" birthday. It was a simple birthday but I really enjoyed having the family over and spending time with them. The best gift I got was this fabulous video on my phone from my beloved neice and nephews. (Hope it works-this is my first vid to post).

I must say I bawled hardcore when I received it because I really miss them! I couldn't even talk to them on the phone I was so teary-eyed. They are my heroes!

The last thing I will post for today (so it isn't long because I have more to share) is this cute picture of my nephew, Kyler, and my mom. This kid LOVES his Grandma! He won't even come to me if Grandma is within 100 feet of him. Anyways, this is a picture of him right after he woke up, threw a fit, got the diap' changed and got a snack. He sat there cuddling my mom for 5 or so minutes. It was precious!

Ich Bin Gestellt Worden!

I love mail!! It is just a wonderful, joyous, exciting, ecstatic, time when you receive something just for you. I have to say that it is more exciting than email. Yes, I check my email everyday, sometimes several times and I get excited when I have something there to tell me about how you guys are doing but its not the same as getting a personal handwritten or typed letter from the good ol' post office. (I know run on sentence there). This week has definitely been no exception. I have received gift after gift from the pony express. First I received notice that I passed my AEPA test for teacher certification and today I received this...

I have received my placement to do my student teaching in Ansbach, Germany in a 4th grade classroom! I am very excited for this! I still cannot believe that I will be leaving my little town of Taylor and entering the unknown world of Germany. The adventures that await me in the classroom and outside the classroom are just too amazing to even grasp. I can't wait to get in the classroom and work hard and put to work my pedagogy (<--means pretty much your teaching philosophy - nothing like a little new vocab every once in awhile eh? Now try to pronounce it...). And I can't wait to get out and really 'see the world'! Germany holds SO much history along with its many neighboring countries. Prague is 3 1/2 hours away, Paris 6 1/2 hours, Rome 10 hours, Berlin 7 hours, Munich 2 hours...and the list goes on. Of course these are driving time so probably riding time will be shorter on the Metro (european train system).

This will definitely be a time in my life that I cannot and will not forget. I plan on forming memories to last a lifetime (sigh-ahhh). All I can say is bring on the German Chocolate Cake! I am ready for it!!! (so much for a diet eh?!)

P.S. Anyone know German????!???!!!?

YiPeE for mE!!!!!

Do you know how long a month is? Besides the 'sunday school answer' of 30 or 31 days except for February which has 28 or 29 days depending on whether it is leap year or not. Or 744 hours or 44,640 minutes or 2, 678, 400 seconds - really what is a month?? Here is what a month is...

An everlasting, black hole which conceals every movement into a canister the size of a pinky finger and goes on and on and on and on with no way of nowing when this black canister is going to end. Okay so I am not the best metaphorical master but that is what comes to my mind. Now the next question, why would I share with you this meaning of 'month'. Well a month ago today, Sept 20th, I entered a testing room at Gilbert High School to take the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA). I was locked in a classroom with no electronic device that would get me out in an emergency, the emergency being a brain-attack or complete exhaustion. It was just me, 10 pencils, 1 eraser, 1 bottle of yucky water, a bubble sheet, and test booklet. (I void out the others taking the test because I could not even concentrate on them.) For three hours I was flashing back to every past moment of my education courses over the last 8 yrs. I KNOW my brain had never worked so hard. Ms. Cunningham's AP Seniors English final wouldn't have even come close to the pain and suffering my poor brain cells had to go through for this test. My synapses have never snapped in such fashion or cleaned off so many dusty shelves in the 'long-term memory' department. I'm telling you this was the bar exam for teachers. Not fun!

Well, today is October 20th, a month later and I have finally found the end to this black hole canister that my brain has been concealed in. I have received word that I PASSED the AEPA test. I CAN NOW OFFICIALLY BE A TEACHER in the state of AZ!! - I still have 8 weeks of school left this semester and my student teaching (which I still have not received word on where I am going) but I know I will pass the rest of the schoolwork so I am in good shape!

I dedicate my sucess for this test to Mozart, bananas, Moki's chicken katsu and a mighty brain who stayed with me throughout the whole 3 most agonizing hours of my life yet. YiPeE for mE!!

An insight...

I really don't have much to add to the blog but since it has been awhile and I am waiting for some big news I will give ya something to read about...

For those who might not know, my brother David is serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Rome, Italy right now. This past week he wrote to us and told us about how the members of the LDS church reacted to the announcement of a temple in Rome. He said it was like a soccer game! Now if you need to know how the Italians (or any European for that matter) celebrates 'futbol' then you need to google World Cup 2006 and watch the videos. I must say that not only was this the response here on this earth but also the rejoicing of generations in Heaven. For all areas that are blessed with a new temple, not only is it felt here on earth but in Heaven because the door is opened to so many others to receive the blessings of our Heavenly Father who in this life did not have the opportunity to accept His gospel. It's absolutely amazing to think of!

Uhm...Well I was going to post more but it is of a different 'tone' so I will post it another time.

P.S. For those who are reading this and would like to know more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, please go to www.mormon.org.

My Dream Come True!!

It's not a snow-white fairy tale dream that came true but this is pretty big to me. Last March I went to this meeting about setting up my student teaching for this coming Spring semester. I was sitting in the meeting, listening to the presenters about this and that, talking about all the paper work I would have to complete and lo and behold I heard "DoDDS program...You go to Europe and do your student teaching on an American military base." Boy did I about jump out of my seat. I thought to myself "How cool would that be! I have saved for years to go to Europe but how awesome would it be to go there AND do my student teaching!" The more and more I listened the more I had a feeling that this is what I needed to do. It did take a little bit of push and support from Lynell and my parents, but I have now gone through my interview with NAU and luckily they have selected me, Yes me, to be a part of this awesome program. Some stuff is still in the works but come January, I am 99.92435783214837% give or take a few millionths sure that I will fly to Germany, Italy, or England and teach kids on an American military base! Europe...Here I Come!!!!

I Got Tagged!

20 years ago...
1. I was a pupil in Mrs. Roger's kindergarten class.
2. It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship with Carlee (Shumway) Cullen.
3. I was learning to read.

10 years ago...
1. Got my driver's license.
2. Had my first date.
3. Survived Ms. Cunningham's Sophomore English

5 years ago...
1. Thought I was almost done with college.
2. Worked with Moneeka and Sara
3. Obtained my Associates degree from MCC

3 years ago...
1. Still lived the dream of a college student
2. Visited Carlee and her family in Connecticut!
3. Parents moved down to Mesa, I moved in with them.

1 year ago...
1. Moved back to Taylor to complete my education through NAU
2. Made new friends with all the gals in my cohort.
3. My brother and sister-in-law adopted one of the cutest kids ever, Kyler
4. Cut my hair REALLY short.

This year...
1. Enjoyed the summer without having a job.
2. Went to Utah and hung out with Becca.
3. Got selected by NAU to be in the DoDDS program.

Yesterday...
1. Lynell's car got a flat tire before we took the AEPA test.
2. Took the AEPA Profession Knowledge test (for teacher certification in AZ).
3. Destressed over a delicious plate of Fettucine Alfredo at Macroni Grill.

Today...
1. Traveled back from from Mesa to Taylor.
2. Blogged, check email, and my history test score.
3. Celebrate my Grandma Rowley's B-day.

Tomorrow...
1. Hopefully sleep in.
2. Read Pictures of Hollis Word for class on Tuesday.
3. Go to class and learn how to assess students.

In the next year...
1. Celebrate my golden birthday - 26 yrs old on the 26th!
2. Complete my student teaching in Europe!
3.GRADUATE FROM NAU WITH MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN ELEM. EDUCATION!!
4. one more for good luck - GET HIRED!!!

I tag Becca, Katie, and Bethany. Hee hee enjoy!

2012 Olympics: Here I Come!??!

Maybe it is the feeling of you can do anything you put your mind (and body) to as you watch the olympics and hear of the many stories of how someone reached their goal as an olympian or its the cool weather in the morning or insanity setting in but I accomplished something this morning that I probably never would have thought I would do probably two weeks ago. Over the summer, I have (sparatically) been walking in the morning. Well about a month ago my right foot started to really bother me and if I don't wear arch supports or wrap my foot, it feels like I have left cactus needles in my heel for two years. So instead of walking, my friend Lynell and I started to ride bikes so we could still do a little bit of exercise. I think I am past the sore 'hiney' now but today I really pushed myself and I am pretty proud of myself that I did it. (Even though I was slower than the others).

So what did I do to make myself think that I can be an olympian? I rode from my house to the stoplight in Snowflake! Our guess is about 10 miles (I'm clocking it tomorrow) but this is definitely a big physical accomplishment for me. And its harder than you think. When you drive between Snowflake and Taylor 20 billion times in your life you do not notice all the hills. Let me say that if you ride a bike you will notice every slight incline there is. You know the phrase "Uphill both ways", thats what it felt like.)

There was only one time that I did loose my sanity temporarily and had to chant to myself "pump, pump, pump" as I climbed a hill, but I did okay since I am not Ms. Exercise herself (I just hate to sweat-a little phobia I have, I know I am weird). And I am not sore at all either, but I did take a nap because I was so drained and did not have enough energy to even keep my 2 oz eyelids from closing this afternoon, so I do feel good about it.

Okay so I may not end up waving to the Queen of England as I race through London in 2012 as a cyclist but I do have a smaller fear of not doing 'this' or 'that' because my mind tells me I can't do it because my body is weak. I am definitely the little train who not only said "I think I can" but "I know I can." I still have a long ways to go to receiving the title of Ms. Exercise but I know that I can do it. Just takes a little bit of will power and a good friend to get you up early each morning to do it.

DAWN has BROKEN

Okay, I know I wasn't the only one out there that was psyched to have the final book of the Twilight Saga published. I only became a fan of Twilight at the beginning of the summer because before then I really had no time for 'recreational' reading. Thanks to Deb who insisted I read the books, I have been entertained this summer (along with my mom, sister, and sister-in-law). Anyways, I was a 'Twilighter' that attended a "Breaking Dawn Party" at Barnes and Noble. It was fun and I made a shirt with my sis Heather and friend Debbie to wear to the party. (No we were not crazy enough to dress up in a prom dress or vampire outfit, definitely not that crazy). Here's a pic of us showing off our newly acquired shirts.

The party was fun. We spent over an hour doing the trivia. Of course we didn't win anything but we sure got the book. I was actually the last one to purchase a book that night (long story) and I am definitely glad that I purchased it. The story is very INTENSE!! If you have not read the books and need some good reading I highly recommend the saga. Stephenie Meyer's is simply put - a GENIUS!! (I also recommend "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer).

1 Year Anniversary...

Well, it has now been a year since I left my (some) family and fabulous friends in the "Valley of the Sun", quit Country Ins. ;(, and moved back to Taylor. I cannot believe that a year has passed. (For those who I have not stayed in contact with I moved back to complete my bachelor's degree through NAU). As hard of a decision it was, I am truly really, without a smidgeon of doubt, glad, that I made the move. Yeah it's been hard and wEiRd, but it has been great for me. I definitely see my schooling coming to an end. Its not a facade! Yahoo! One more year and I will be an official teacher!

Not only has the move brought me closer to my degree but also has given me the opportunity to establish new friendships. It was hard to move back knowing that most of the high school chubs were not here but I have been blessed with additional people that I have added to my circle of friends. :) I've even gotten to ride in a jeep!! Thanks Lynell!

Another plus has been the wonderful weather!! The sidewalk still burns my feet when I go get the clothes off the line, but I don't have to take a bath after 10 seconds of being outside. Cool, crisp mornings, starry sky, and clean air I have thoroughly enjoyed. Nothing like reading a good book (yes, from the twilight saga) in the shade, lounging in the green grass. You just have to watch out for bugs but it is still delightful.

The negative-not all has been 'smiley' because I did leave good friends and family. I really miss my niece and nephews, who are definitely a big joy to me. And of course, I really miss my Moki's, Olive Garden, and Tia Rosa. Above that I miss Kohls. --that's about it. Oh just kidding Mo-I really miss my ol' job. My first and only job (technically because I wasn't hired to be a substitute) was definitely a BIG highlight of my 6 years in Mesa. All ya'll that I worked with - Monique, Sara, Tara, Lena "Hammy", and "Dobbie" - truly blessed my life and helped me through those good and hard times. The laughs are treasured :) Love ya lots. (pic of me, Monique, and Sara to the left)

The next to year to come...Like I said, I have one more year of schooling till I complete my bachelor's degree. January I will be doing my student teaching which I am applying to do in Europe (one month till the interview!!). I really hope I get this experience for several reasons. To name a few (1) get to give a little bit back to the service men and women of our country 'cause I will be teaching the kids on American military bases. (2) Hello! Europe!! and (3) get to experience different cultures that will hopefully open my eyes to more beautiful (and different) things in this blessed world.

Beautiful Sunset

Arizona is very popular for its sunsets. This is one that I captured the other night after it rained a little during the day. Very pretty isn't it??!

The first of many (hopefully)

At the request of several people, I decided to dive into the life of a blogger. I cannot guarantee that it will be exciting (I only live in Taylor so only so much can happen) but I cannot guarantee that it will be boring. Its what life gives me. For those who read this and want to know what I am up to keep reading...Right now my life is open to any possibility. (Except maybe participating in the 2008 summer olympics in Beijing. I think qualifying is over but who knows maybe 2012 will be my year.) Actually I am living a 'free' life right now because school is on break and I am taking a break from a job for the summer. This past year I substituted and boy was it an experience. I ended up being the FACS teacher (cooking) at Snowflake Junior High for the last semester. Yep, teenagers and knives! Only one kid cut herself so I think it was successful. Whether or not those kids can cook anything besides ramen now, I don't know.

Starting in August I will be starting the FINAL semester of College! I am almost done and I thank all those who have been with me and supported me throughout the VERY LONG process of getting my bachelors degree in Elementary Ed. I will be doing my student teaching in January and I hope to have the great privilege of doing it in Europe on an American military base. (Long story, can give more details later).