How do you measure a year?

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes!
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan.

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

When I thought back on this year, I first considered it to be pretty ordinary. As I went through my photos to share the highlights, I realized that it was, indeed, a very busy and fulfilling year. Here is how I filled my 365 days.

A dear friend, Jeff Smith, went on a study abroad. Our group got together and had a going away celebration for him.


St. Patrick’s Day. Green clothes, decorations, and food.


Festival of Colors.


Girls trip to St. George to celebrate graduating.


Surprising my relatives (who I hadn’t seen in YEARS) in Pennsylvania. My dad and I are so sneaky.


After living in Provo for 4 years, I hiked the Y.


Putting together costumes for the “Search Party.” Alyssa and I are part of Dog the Bounty Hunter’s Crew.


Building a fort. An item on my bucket list.


Scott’s vintage birthday party.


Stadium of Fire. I love America!



Having to get rescued while repelling.


Paul, a dear friend, moved away for med school. The last photo of our Apartment 9 group.


Going to St. George and watching “Tarzan” with Emily Lloyd.


Rodeo where Kristy and I got in touch with our inner cowgirl!


Participating in the World’s Largest Water Balloon Fight.


Celebrating Pioneer Day covered in foam.


Cabin trip where we rode the rhino, played games, and sat around a camp fire.


Tim McGraw concert. Sexy.


Started teaching 4th grade and 32 children.


IDAHO! Lava Hot Springs and jumping off the HIGH (30+) platform.


Becca’s triathlon, camping, and wave running at Lake Yuba.


Turning 23 and going into an ice cave in Idaho.


Moab: Going to Arches National Park and camping in a Ghost Town.


Halloween as a Punk and Jersey Shore guidette.



Visiting the Grand Canyon and Bryce Park.


Paint Party. Squirt guns filled with paint in a room full of black lights. Yes, please.


Fakesgiving. Yummy food and lots to be thankful for.


Thanksgiving with the family who moved to Utah.


Seeing the Nation’s Capitol and riding the Metro.


525,600 minutes spent with incredible people all over the U.S.
Thank you, 2010, for making this an unforgettable year.

Spot On

With the end of the year upon us, I’ve become slightly nostalgic and decided I wanted to come up with my “highlights” of 2010. That post will come later, but I had to share my favorite photo of the year. It is by no means flattering, but absolutely, and totally, hilarious.



That big spot you see on my skirt is pee, albeit, not my own. If you look over my right shoulder you’ll see that little guy running away with a matching wet spot. While on a Rhino ride (not the animal, FYI) I sat by that cute kid. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, until I stood up and realized I felt quite damp. For a few brief seconds, I thought I had wet myself. That's when I saw my little friend with a matching mark of shame. Just to add to the story, you’ll notice that guy laughing hysterically to my left. Tiger (or so he was nicknamed on the trip) was kind enough to switch seats with me right before “the incident.” He clearly looks remorseful.

Merry Christmas

HO HO HO!

A few days ago I had my students write a letter to Santa telling him what they wanted for Christmas. Some of the letters were humorous, others were quite sad. One little girl wrote down the names of her classmates who no longer believed in Santa and tattled on them.
Here are a few of my favs:

Santa you are the hero that I never now about. You never get seen. You are the best at dilivering toys to boys and girls.

...How are the elves and Miss Clous doing. Is Jack Frost making truble aging? I hope you travel good.

Dear Santa,
I don't quiet know that you exist so I would like you to bring some elfs so I will know that you are reall.

PS They can't be robotic inside. They have to be REALL!


Finally, one student truly summed up what the whole Christmas season is about. How different the world would be if everyone lived their life like this:

Dear Santa,
For Christmas I want very little because I want the pore [poor] to have some presents. All I want is a apple, a orange, some nuts, and a carndal outift [jersey]. I would rely apricit it if you would take some of my presents to the pore. Thank you! How are the reindeer. I hope you have a safe jurny.

Birthday Celebration

On Wednesday one of my best friends, Becca Vikari, had a birthday.


In true Becca fashion she hosted a party. Here are all of the wonderful people we met while living on Condo Row.


Through her I also met the following people. They are lifeguards and I feel so protected when I'm with them.


Due to the mistletoe, everyone felt the need to kiss me.


Clearly, I was enjoying it. :)

Washington, DC

On a whim I decided to buy a plane ticket to DC and go visit Scott and Kristy. Since I tend to plan my spontaneity, I was quite proud of myself.

Here are a few gems from the trip:



My favorite piece of artwork from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. It is called "Electronic Superhighway."


Kristy giving me the Capitol tour. I just love her!




White House(technically it is the back, I was not familiar enough with the architecture to know this).


One of my favorite things was renting bikes and riding them to all of the monuments. It has, in fact, been at least a decade since I've rode a bike. There were some scary and embarrassing moments, but overall, my self respect was left in tact.


Viewing all of the graves at Arlington Cemetery was quite powerful. It really put into perspective how lucky I am to be an American citizen and enjoy the liberties this country provides. I am very grateful for the soldiers who defend my freedom.


At Mt. Vernon I toured George Washington's house. This man made a tremendous impact on history.


The DC temple (which is actually located in Maryland) was gorgeous. There were over 500,000 lights and I was incredibly jolly.


This camel makes me happier than words can express. So do the people on it.


Of all the experiences, the Metro provided my most memorable experiences. It was there that I interacted with the people of DC, was by myself, broke my favorite pair of heels, and got "stuck". I love traveling.


Also, I returned to work to find a big sign my students made to welcome me back. What can I say, they love me.

*Give Thanks*

For the month of November I had my students write down three things a day they were grateful for. I've picked a few of my favorites to share with you. I typed the responses as the kids wrote them; obviously, we have substantial spelling and grammar to work on.

Boys:
** My friends because they always got my back. There the best.
** Rugby. Nuthing is more dangeres or fun than almost getting killed!
** I am thankful for the buatafel BYU stadom.
** BYU players. There strong they never give up.
** Cows for hamburgers and stake and milk.

Girls:
** My name because it's so pretty and everyone knows who I am.
** Thankful for Dad. If you didn't have a dad we would be a hobo.
** I am thankful for my clouths so I won't be bare.

Apparently my kids really value appearance. Many of them mentioned hair:
** Girl: I am thankful for hair because we whould look uglue.
** Girl: I am thankful for my hair. It makes me look a-m-azing.
** (Personal favorite) Boy: I am thankful for jell [gel] because if we didn't have jell our head would be all over the play's.

*Happy Thanksgiving*

Whooo! Entry 1 on the blog [yeuh!]. With the holiday in mind, I figured there is no better time to begin a blog. Here are the top three blessings in my life:

Friends
For the 347 days in the year when I'm not at home, these dear people act as my family. I love them and all of the memories we've shared.


Family
They might be the craziest people I know, but I love them.


Teaching
While this has been a very hard year, I am so thankful that I can call myself a teacher. Few people can say that they go to work every day and see someone changed for the better. I love these darlings.