LoVe the life you live, LiVe the life you LoVe.

So I haven't written for a little while, like two months.. and I am now in my basement in Richfield Utah. I have to say I have definitely experienced a couple more exciting places this summer than my basement, but what can I say, I am back where I started, and I am happy. These past couple months I have felt SOO much joy and happiness. After California I came to Utah for a couple weeks, and then I went to Texas with the Dowdles for two weeks. I can say that I have never felt so much love in my life as I have this year. As I was sitting on the plane, flying out of Ontario California, I had this moment where I was in compete awe, every happy moment of my life was running through my head like I was floating on clouds. I was just realizing how lucky and how loved I have been. Thinking about all of the great times I've had in Hawaii, with my best friends, and with friends I barely knew. And then having my parents come to Hawaii was a miracle, going to california to work with some of the craziest cats I know. Being at a crazy fair. Going to Disneyland. There were so many happy moments, and then I got to Utah and it only continued. I went to Texas for two weeks with one of my best friends family, and they have so much love for each other. I love being around them. They always play games, and do activities together. They went out of their way to show me around Texas, and take me kayaking, and go to the River walk, and Alamo. AND then when they dropped me off at the airport they thanked ME for coming. I couldn't believe it. I can't thank them enough. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "Love is the most powerful force in the world." I couldn't agree more. Where would we be without love?? ALL of our problems can be solved by learning to love. And then I came back to Richfield, and submitted my mission papers, and I couldn't have had a happier moment in my life then when I spoke with my Stake President, Brother Monson. I could feel ALL of the love he has for his fellow men, and I knew at that moment that I was where I am supposed to be. Well hopefully I will be getting my mission call sometime this week. It has felt like ETERNITY waiting for it. Mostly because I don't have a job, and then the thoughts come back to me... am i supposed to be here? AND then something else happened, I made a new friend. I became part of this group on facebook called the breakfast club. It is all about inspiring messages, and spreading the joy of life. I love when people are doing something to inspire others, and this is what its all about. the LOVE. I love meeting new people. I know I was meant to be here right now. Right here in Richfield right at this moment. Its crazy how life can just take you back somewhere, maybe somewhere you didn't even want to be, but you were meant to be there. Haven't you had one of those moments, where you KNEW that it was meant? Well I cannot wait to open up my mission call this next week, and see where I will be spreading joy and love for the next year and a half of my life. Where I will learn to love people, and have more compassion. I cannot imagine doing anything else at this point in my life. I want everyone to feel the joys of life.  I also have come to realize that it's not everyday that I am this happy. I have definitely had my lows of life, but if I have some days that I can feel utter joy, then it was worth having to go through a couple of bad days.

People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos, is because things are being loved, and people are being used.

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back - Arthur Rubinstein.

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and let it come in – Morrie Schwartz.

When in doubt, choose Love.

Life on The Go Go Go

So here I am sitting in a motorhome in San Diego California. Who knew I would be here? I didn't even know a month ago. I am already missing Hawaii A LOT, and I've only been here a couple weeks. I have just been thinking how crazy it is that you can just pick up and move, and leave everything. I bought my plane ticket for california one week before I left. I sold my car the day I left, and packed everything I owned, cleaned the house, and I was gone before I even knew it. Maybe it is better that way. I didn't have time to think about leaving, but now I am here in California, for the first time. Working at the Del Mar Fair. It has been quite the experience. I feel like I have seen every type of person that exists in the world. It's very interesting. Seeing all these people, talking to different people. It's weird how every person in the world has their own life, and their own problems, and insecurities. What if everyone in the world forgot about themselves and decided to do something nice for others? How crazy would that be. We would have world peace! Anyway.... I miss my friends. I wish I could gather them all up in one place and have a big ole rendezvous and sing songs and dance and go crazy. I can't believe how many friends I have that are now in different places.
Thanks to Aly Cat for showing me this awesome song.

Anyway, on the other end of things I listened to this really awesome talk the other day on truth and tolerance. Something I needed to hear. It was so great. Especially since I am not around a lot of people that believe the same things I do.


We should respect that everyone has the right to make their own choices.


“We must respect this God-given dignity in every human being, even in our enemies.  For the goal of all human relations—whether they are religious, social, political, or economic—ought to be cooperation and mutual respect.”


And we should judge not. We can disagree with someone without being rude or offensive.


“Let us reach out to those in our community who are not of our faith.  Let us be good neighbors, kind and generous and gracious.  Let us be involved in good community causes.  There may be situations, there will be situations, where, with serious moral issues involved, we cannot bend on matters of principle.  But in such instances we can politely disagree without being disagreeable.  We can acknowledge the sincerity of those whose positions we cannot accept.  We can speak of principles rather than personalities.”


Click on the link below to read the entire talk :)
Dallin H Oaks. Truth and Tolerance

Last Day of King Intermediate

I can NOT believe it. I am officially a college graduate. Today was my last day at King Intermediate, as a student teacher. Maybe I will be back sometime in the future, but for now it's SUMMER TIME! I have had such a wonderful experience. BUT i'm not going to lie.. there were some tough days in there. I got sick three times during the semester. I had what felt like a billion observations by professors, and so much paperwork. I did an action research paper. I yelled a LOT. A LOT more than I thought I ever would. I told one of my classes to shut up. I held students after school for detention. I tried to motivate my students by choosing students of the week for five separate classes. I graded many, many tests, that I THOUGHT every student should've gotten an A on. I made a DREADED teacher standards portfolio. I had a student tell me he would be my husband. Had students call me babe. Schooled a bunch of kids in pool on our field trip. and I received many compliments about my pretty eye balls. HAHA. SERIOUSLY was such a GREAT experience. MUCH Thanks to my cooperating teacher Ross Takahashi for being SOOO great. He has taught me so many things that will help me be a better teacher. I really do look up to that guy :) I have this sort of sad feeling. I have been waiting for this moment for the past four years, to be done with college, and now it's over and i'm SAD! who WOULd'VE thought!!! seriously though, I didn't know five months could just pass me by so quickly. and I have had sooooooo many great times. This year, the last day of school was no ordinary last day of school. Usually I am totally psyched and excited, looking forward to a summer full of play, knowing again I would return to my lovely classmates and friends and greet them in a few months as the school year once again started, but no, not this time. This time I will not return. It is sad knowing that maybe I won't see some of them again in my life. Did I make a difference in their life? Did I pass along some smiles, and some happiness for just a moment? I just can't believe it I'M a FREE SOUL!!!!!!!! :D

I love this picture. I have enjoyed King Intermediate very much. The good and the bad. :)

Miracles all Around

There are miracles all around us, happening everyday. There I was sitting at a fireside a couple weeks ago listening to Brother Chad Ford speak. He was speaking about serving others, and how it changes lives. I remember him telling us that he would pray for a name everyday, and throughout the day if he felt inspiration, or just if someone's name popped in his head, he knew that he needed to help him. He said that one day he felt the inspiration to take $200 dollars out of his bank account, and then the spirit led him to where it needed to be dropped off, little did he know, that person was having car troubles and needed exactly $200 dollars to get his car fixed. I thought that was so amazing. I wish I had money like that, to give to those in need. Little did I know, miracles happen all around us, everyday. 

Today I was at school, as usual, teaching my 7th graders. I went to each lunch with the usual "old teacher" crew, and I grabbed my phone. I had 2 not just one, but TWO missed calls from my mom. My first reaction: WHAT'S WRONG! (my mom hardly every calls, only on RARE occasions) I listened to her v-mail she left, and it sounded urgent, and then I also saw a text from her. It said, "When is your graduation?" I was just thinking, oh maybe she's going to send me something, or maybe Grandma or someone was wondering, (I should've sent invitations out by now). I texted her back, and told her April 14, and then she said>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>"I might be able to come."
I was ecstatic! I called her right when I got out of school, to ask her how she had enough money. However it happened I knew it was a miracle. I had already diminished all of my hopes of her coming here, so I wasn't expecting this at all. I knew she couldn't afford it. She called me later to tell me the story of what happened. She had chatted with her visiting teacher, and had told her she wished she had the money to come out to my graduation. Her visiting teacher used to be my Young Women's President, and so she knows me very well too. During their little chit chat, her visiting teacher said, I wish I had enough money to give you......The next day, which was today, somehow her visiting teacher came up with enough money, and gave it to my mom. I don't know where she got the money, but this is one of the most amazing miracles I have ever seen in my life. I AM SO EXCITED! I feel as if I want to give my whole life to service for others. I cannot imagine how happy I could make other people feel. This is one of the most Christ-like things I have seen happen in my life. I am so grateful for every good thing in my life. I am sooooooooooo grateful for VISITING TEACHERS!!!!!!!! I could not say thank you enough to this woman who is such a GREAT example in my life. I want to devote my life to serving others all the time. Which makes me wonder, why wouldn't I go on a mission? Serve the Lord, and his people for almost two years, and hopefully change many lives. There are miracles happening around us everyday, all we need to do is open our eyes.





This hymn has been stuck in my head all day. It is one of my favorites. If we thought of good things to do for people everyday, imagine how much happier not only our lives would be, but the lives of everyone we were around..


Hymns 223, Have I Done Any Good?

1. Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone’s burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

[Chorus]
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

2. There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, “Sometime I’ll try,”
But go and do something today.
’Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love’s labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.

Time keeps on tickin tickin tickin...

Why is time so weird? One minute, best friends with someone a guy or a girl, and the next they are married, or gone, as if you had never met. How do the weeks fly by so quickly we forget to stop and take a minute to be grateful for everyone around us. For all the amazing friends we have. I love all of my friends so much, and I have so much fun with them all the time. It scares me that they are only going to be in my life for a moment. I want to keep them forever. This past week was Spring break. One of those moments of my life that I will treasure forever. I don't know how time flies by so fast, but sometimes I wish we could just slow it down.. Anyway this next week I am back off to school, and more than half way done with student teaching. I have 2 weeks to write my action research paper, which I am doing on motivation. How to motivate students? And then my graduation banquet for math... I can't believe I took all those math classes... and then my last math tutor party, with all my little tutor nerdy friends. Then graduation, and then I will be done. Then what do I do with my life??? Where do I go? I have always talked about how nice it's going to be when I'm done with school, and this and that, but now the time has come, and I still don't know where I am going, and my season is up.
Anyway here is my favorite poem.

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.
When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
— Unknown

oh just some o' that stuff you experience

Some things I have learned at King Intermediate in the past few weeks:
1. Don't ever let the students find out your first name, you will never hear the end of it.
2. Do NOT ever start any type of word problem with your mom. Big accident. HAHA
3. Some students will lie to their parents, and their teachers, at the exact same time, telling them opposite things. Never let a student call from their own cell phone.
4. If you pronounce any word wrong in front of the class, it will NOT be forgotten.
5. Remember, 7th graders will be 7th graders, one announced he farted in class.
6. 7th graders will listen to me, and follow directions I can make them stay after school. It feels great.
7. If you get a sunburn, haircut, bruise, cut, or anything else the students will notice RIGHT away.
8. It is REALLY fun, and almost an evil feeling to hold all of the students in your last class period after school.
9. Don't underestimate student's talents, I have some that will sing to me in chipmunk voices.
10. These students are spoiled. REALLY spoiled. and I thought I was for having a phone when I was in high school, nope some of these kids have had phones since they were in FIRST grade. RIdiCULOUS!

Inspiration!!!

Ohhhh where to begin..

Prince of Peace by Akiane Kramarik

I have been inspired by so many different people this week. I just finished reading the book "Heaven is Real" by Todd Burpo. It was such an amazing story with amazing people in it, in which they endure many trials and have much faith in God. As I was reading this book, there was a part of it that started talking about this little girl named Akiane Kramarik. She is this AMAZING artist, who started drawing, and painting at the age four. She claims to have had visitors, and been to heaven, and even seen Jesus. With talent like her, I do not doubt it. If you have not checked out her art, I highly recommend you do so ASAP ! Here's her website. http://www.artakiane.com/
I am obsessed with her. She is soooo amazing!! She has such a wonderful talent! And it's crazy to think that God gave us all talents, and some people are still waiting to discover theirs.

The next person that inspired me is this lady from Utah named Stephanie Nielson. My roommate showed her blog to me and her YouTube video. She was in a plane crash, and burned 80 percent of her body. She has an amazing story, and an inspiration to everyone around her. It reminded me of that movie Beastly. If you have seen it, then you know what I mean. I admire her so much! I wish everyone in the world would all learn to view everybody for their inner beauty. :)

The last inspirational story was about this boy from Ghana who was born disabled. He only has one real working leg. There is a movie about him, and at school today, for my advisory class we watched a shorter version of the movie. This boy is sooo awesome! He decided he was going to change how people viewed disabled people, and that is exactly what he did. Watch the trailer! This is the kind of mind set that I want to have! Emmanuel is so optimistic and although he comes from one of the poorest countries in the world, he makes a major difference not only in his country, but for the world to see.


These are just three out of millions of inspirational people out there! They are just some that have happened to come across my path this week, who have made me rethink the way I live everyday, and to question myself. Am I striving to be my best self?

Why do Tests Matter soooo Much?

So here I am, end of week four, teaching a couple of classes now, and wondering why state tests are at such high stakes for students AND teachers. These past couple days, we have been reviewing random questions for the HSA (Hawaii State Assessment). Mostly questions from material we haven't covered yet, so if it is on their test, they might have an idea of how to solve, or answer it. They actually get three different chances to pass the test, and prove they are "smart enough" or they have "learned enough" to move onto the next grade level. I mean I can see some importance in doing so, but there is sooo much pressure on the teachers to make sure your students pass. As well as on the school to pass AYP. So are we math teachers here to teach students, and help them gain a wide understanding of mathematics, or are we here just to teach them material that they will see on the test? Because sometimes that is what it seems like! Teachers are just pushed to make sure their students do good on tests, but is that the only way to measure learning? Anyway.. just some thoughts...

Bullies

     So here I am, and another Friday has come once again. I love fridays almost as much as I love cats, so that's saying a lot. This week has just added to my experience points as I go up the scale and start teaching more classes. I have been thinking a lot about bullies lately, as well as the types of students that tend to be bullied. I just read a short book called "Give a Boy a Gun" by Todd Strasser. It's a story about two boys that are bullied all throughout their school years, and decide to take revenge, and hold a school shooting. You can read more at http://www.toddstrasser.com/html/gabag.htm.
     I can't stop thinking about this book, and it makes me wonder how much bullying actually goes on at the school I am teaching at. I know there are bullies everywhere, and sometimes we just don't see them. We don't see the bullying going on and no one wants to be a tattletale. How do we stop this kind of violence? How do we see the signs of a child that is being bullied?.. and to that extent how can we help that child? I hate bullies more than anything, this book is definitely a wake up call to stop violence and bullying!
     The boys in this book that are bullied hate their lives. They don't think they have anything to live for, and so they decide to take their own lives, as well as their enemie's lives. That's how school shootings happen. So how do we recognize one of these boys, and how can we help? Well first things first, we need to stand up against the bullies, and make sure the proper measures are taken so they aren't bullied anymore, inside and outside of school. 
     In middle school and high school, I always saw signs against bullying hanging up around the school, and I never thought much about it. I never really saw much bullying, although my schools were MAJORLY cliquey. I thought most people minded their own business. It wasn't until one day when I realized there are bullies everywhere, including my own schools. I was a senior in high school, my younger brother was a freshman. We have very opposite personalities. I am the loud type that talks to everybody, and he is the very shy and quiet type that doesn't talk to many people. One day after school my dad and I were asking him about his yearbook, and for some reason he wouldn't show it to us, so I jumped up and ran to the bedroom to grab it, and he fought really hard and got it away from me. So i let it go, but I walked back into his bedroom a little later and I found him sitting there scribbling in his yearbook with a black marker. I started asking him what it said, and who wrote it, and why he was scribbling, and he wouldn't answer any of my questions. He just started crying. I felt so bad. I even started crying. Why would someone do this to my little brother is all I kept thinking. Why are some people such jerks, and why would someone deliberately ruin his yearbook. I still never found out who the bully was, but I will never forget that moment, when I knew there were people in my school being bullied, my own little brother! To this day my brother still doesn't talk much, and I never know what he's thinking. It bothers me to know someone out there could be saying hurtful things to him, and he would never tell a soul. We should all strive to put bullying to an END, and teach our students, children, peers, and all that we know to love one another. That differences are okay, and everyone is unique! We shouldn't judge other people!!!

Early out Days

Oh the energy at school on an early out Wednesday, is incredible. All of the students are so loud and obnoxious. I often wonder, and try to remember how I acted in middle school, what I was like.We used to have early out Wednesday's every other week, which was disappointing when we found out South Sevier (our rival school) was getting out early every Friday. Our school was not slow to follow though. We soon started getting out early every Friday, and I can remember LOVING Fridays. Extra long weekends. I never saw it from the teachers side until now. The teachers don't get out early. They have to continue their day by attending boring meetings, in which everyone complains about whats wrong with the education system and what needs to be fixed. I've also been thinking a lot about when you get older, and get more privileges to make your life easier, it actually is just making it more complex. Everything is about progression. At King Intermediate, they have an advisory class, in the middle of the day on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. Well on Tues, and Thurs they use it as a study hall, but every Wednesday their teacher is supposed to give advice to the class, and have them do some small assignment. Today we watched this video about adding things to  your "toolbox". And although the students don't see it now, why they need to stay in school, and work hard, later on, depending what they have in their toolbox is going to determine their future. It's all about progression. Here's an example i have been thinking about. Before you have your drivers license, you have to walk everywhere, or ride the bus, or convince friends/family to give you rides. But once you get your license, and a car, you feel soooo free!! At least that's how I felt. BUT it comes with all these responsibilities. You have to know how to drive the car, you have to get it registered, and have insurance. You have to keep up the maintenance of the car. There are all of these hidden responsibilities that you don't see until you are given the freedom to "drive". I have just been thinking about responsibilities lately, because once I become a teacher, and have my own classroom, I'm going to have a whole TON more of responsibilities. I have been teaching one class a day this week, and it has been a lot of fun. I am starting to learn the students names, and getting to know all of these little aliens. Looking back at my life in middle school, it seems like it was a different life. Everything is so different now. Everyone was immature back then, and no one cares about middle school now. I just need to remember that as I am teaching these students. They are just aliens, and will one day grow up, and maybe become real human beings. Anyway maybe I will make an impression in some of their lives, that's what I hope for.

The Beginning to New Endings

Well its a brand new year! And I have just started student teaching. It's my third day at Samuel Wilder King Intermediate School with seventh grade math. I have been mostly observing so far, and I will start teaching at least one class next week.  oh and by the way, TGIF.
This is what I've learned thus far:
1. Seventh grade girls like attention.
2. You have to repeat all directions at least five times, before they know whats going on.
3. All of the students like to "talk story" with you.
4. When the power goes out, the students are ecstatic.
5. Students will believe almost anything you tell them.
6. Almost all students can play the uke better than I can.
7. All students are "free-loaders"
8. Mr. T really does love teaching.
9. Some students STILL don't know how to add.... what is -2 plus 1.... "three?"
10. I am the minority here, and not just cause I'm white.
Well, I plan on learning and gaining a lot more experience, and I will write more fun stories as they come to me, and keep you updated.

You know you are in Hawaii when:

The students bring uke's to class, and will play "the lazy song" and sing to you after class.

I remember when:

I was in middle school, seventh grade math actually. I think it was the pre-algebra class. One day I was bored out of my mind, and really tired. I was sitting next to the wall, which was carpeted. I looked at the wall and decided to draw on it. I started drawing an S, for my name I think. Clueless, as I was, the teacher was watching me, and walked over and yelled at me. I was never yelled at during school, because I was generally a good student. I was scared, and embarrassed out of my mind! He told me that I was going to have to come in after school with the janitors and clean all of the desks, and walls. I think it was one of the only times I had ever seen my teacher so angry. Now I can't believe I'm this old.. well young actually. It wasn't too long ago when I was a middle schooler. I always thought student-teachers were so old. Turns out their not!