Old Friends?

I have recently started watching Wings again on Netflix.  I will admit that I laugh at every episode.  Its almost like reuniting with old friends, you  know the ones I had about 15 years ago.  It is fantastic.  It is especially great since I do not have 3-D friends at home. 2-D friends work pretty well, at least for the time being.
FYI Wings is in the same universe as Cheers and Frasier. Frasier and his wife visit the island as well as a few other Cheers bar bums.

I found this poem in the Random House Book of Poetry for Children today while looking for poems for school. I like especially the part of when I'm getting old, at twenty-eight or nine--I guess I am past due to go to the orphanage...

If No One Ever Marries Me (1897) by Laurence Alma-Tadema

If no-one ever marries me--

And I don't see why they should,

For nurse says I am not pretty

And I'm seldom very good--

If no one ever marries me

I shan't mind very much;

I shall buy a squirrel in a cage,

And a little rabbit-hutch;

I shall have a cottage near a wood,

And a pony all my own,

And a little lamb, quite clean and tame,

That I can take to town;

And when I'm getting really old, 

At twenty-eight or nine--

I shall buy a little orphan girl

And bring her up as mine.

Family History and Temple Work

Yesterday I went to meeting for Single Adults in my stake. There were only a few representatives from each of the wards. Apparently 1/3 of my stake is single including everyone from people like me 31 and never been married, to single parents, to widows and widowers that are elderly. They were working on a way to try to "help us." Sorry to say I don't know if this will really help because our needs are so different. My needs are different than those single members that have kids. One person who was there said he worked for the church in the family history department and according to him soon you will not be able to go to the temple unless you provide your own names. I seriously hope that is not true because that would mean not only am I the awkward one at church because I am single, but that I am not allowed to go to the temple too. I am sorry that my family has been diligent with family history for decades and it is incredibly difficult to find names to do temple work for. It is almost impossible. Well if that is the case, I guess I wont go. In his little pontification he said people would bring their own names or use those from their ward. Well if this is the case, why would people want to share their family names if it meant that they couldn't go when they ran out? Besides the fact that it is nice to do your own family names. I just don't see how this will work. There are a lot of people who are doing extraction. There are a lot of temple workers. There are missionaries who go to the temple. Are we going to forget extraction? Will missionaries not go to the temple because they don't have time to find a name? It just doesn't make sense besides the fact that it is not allowing me and my family to go to the temple any more. Overall I left this meeting feeling discouraged.

Adulthood

Though my life may have gone a little different than I expected, overall it has been a good one. Though being single, I am often treated like a perpetual teenager, but truth is I am an Adult and will make a new first tomorrow night. I will be staying in a hotel room by myself. No friends, no family, just me! This may not be something that proves I am an adult, because I have already crossed many of those milestones like graduating from college, starting a career buying a home etc. This is something I have never done. I doubt many married people have done this, not that they would want to. Life is crazy!

Trials

I am aware that we all have trials in our lives. They are all hard for the person who is in the middle of them. I am some ones that are pretty observable. Many peoples are less observable, but are still challenging none the less. I have seen so many people this week who have had some struggles that have broken my heart for them. I have also struggled with my own trials. I have cried for my own trials and theirs this week and I hope for the best for all of us involved.

I also think some of my trials were chosen by me before this life or were chosen by my choices in this life. For example due to my choices in this life of becoming a teacher and then working toward a masters degree has led to some frustrations and trials. This is not completely unheard of in the world of teaching. Look at the Chicago teachers. They stood up for a better work environment and situation for them and for the students even if they didn't teach for over a week. Schools cannot be run like a business because kids are not products. They have their own will power and choices and back stories. I feel underappreciated. So my specific frustrations are with a few choices by my district and their deadline for turning in paper work for the master's degree to be compensated. Yes I am happy they are funding steps and lanes this year. But no local universities are done before April 15. Could we maybe change the date? THANKS!

So here is my other trial that I think I chose. I really think I have chosen to be single. I think I chose it before coming to this earth. I am sure this was a trial that I knew could handle. I know I don't always like it in this life but I know it could be worse. I could be in a bad marriage or have a child out of wed lock etc...

Now my friends this week have had hard situations this week. And yes I really did cry a few times for them. I hope for the best for them, but will leave their specific situations out of this post for their privacy. And for them--you are strong, you have support around you through family and friends. You got this! Believe in yourself. We love you!

TV shows

You know what really bothers me: When they mess with the shows you like...
Sometimes they mess with the shows you like when you are watching them as everyone else is watching them. For example watching Lost toward the end. I did not love the episodes but I was invested in the show so I had to play it out until the end.

I have recently watched some series on netflix. They are a little older but the shows have been messed with. One was cancelled with out making a clean cut in the last episode which means it was cut over the summer. Ok I knew this one was just a filler with some of my summer. I knew it was not the most critically acclaimed show, but I sometimes like shows like that.

One I just started a few weeks ago killed of a rather important character. This show was based on a pretty famous legend. How can you kill off one of the most important people in that legend? I don't know.

This has happened before and will happen again. I have remained pretty anonymous on those shows because I don't want to ruin anything for anyone. So I am not going to say which shows they are.

Politics

So why is it that people in general try to make you feel bad about your political beliefs if you don't believe the same way they do.

Just because I am not a republican Mormon I am not immoral or on the dark side. I am a moderate and an independent. I choose not to be part of a political party because I do not like either of them fully. I care about issues like welfare, education, healthcare, immigration etc. Democrats are not all bad and Republicans are not all good. It is the truth. I have voted for democrats and republicans. I do not try to push my ideas on you so don't try to push yours on me--or maybe you just think I agree with you because I often remain silent. I often sit and listen to how awful you think people I voted for are. Crazy how you probably don't even know I voted for them. Or if you did---are you trying to make me feel bad? I remain silent on many issues because I know I won't change your mind and you do not respect my point of view. I do talk to some friends about issues and they have different opinions, but they will listen and be respectful even when we disagree. I do the same for them. The beauty about being part of this nation is that we do have the right to freedom of speech where we have a right to have our own opinions about politics.

I talked with my students a few days ago about this since it talked about Romney and Obama in Scholastic News. I told them this applies in this class as well as throughout their lives. You should be respectful of the candidates even if you do not agree with them. You should know what they stand for and build your reasons to vote for them or to vote against them on that. You should be respectful of others beliefs and listen politely to what they have to say and also respond politely. You can believe the same or different as people around you including friends, neighbors or parents. You should study the issues and not rely on others to make the decision for you. Just because someone is of the same religion, state, ethnicity, gender etc. as you are is not the only reason to vote for them. Mostly we need to be respectful of people in this process. I believe this is true for me, my students and everyone else.

Another reason not to vote for Romney

I tell you what, Romney keeps giving me reasons not to vote for him. Here is one more reason not to vote for him in my book.

"I am disappointed by the decision of the Chicago Teachers Union to turn its back on not only a city negotiating in good faith but also the hundreds of thousands of children relying on the city's public schools to provide them a safe place to receive a strong education," Romney said in a statement Monday morning.
Romney
I am pretty sure that if you can't give teachers a good contract you wont keep good teachers. If you don't have good teachers your students will not learn. Isn't having good quality teachers that are appreciated important in education? I think so. Therefore even though there was a walk out from Chicago teachers, it wasn't because they were trying to not teach students, or have a poor work ethic, or turn their backs on them, but ultimately it is to have it be a good experience for them as teachers, and also for their students. If teachers are not loving their jobs, then students will not learn-period!

Romney keeps giving me reasons not to vote for him, but to vote against him.

The Thinker or Akhenaten sitting down??

Today in class we made a sculpture out of packing tape. It was awesome. The kids did a great job and we had fun even if it did take a while. He ended up being a little hippy but no big deal--I tried to hide it when we taped his parts together. He is loosely based on The Thinker but I think he is a little more like Akhenaten because of his hips.

Dear Walmart

Dear Walmart, or more correctly dear walmart cashier,

If your company says they will price check, that should be always, not just when it is convenient to you. I understand I was buying a bunch of rather inexpensive school supplies far less than your store, but if Office Depot will let me do it for an extended limit because I am a teacher, so should you. I have purchased the same thing earlier this week, at your store, for the same price, there is no reason why you should treat me like a criminal. Really do you think that me buying a bunch of folders is just for fun, or for my own personal use. I showed you my teacher ID, really what do you think they are for? I bought them out of my own pocket, and because of that I am trying to get the best possible price for them. I am sorry they are for a penny, but do you think I would want to pay 15 cents if I could get them for a penny? I have overlooked some of your shady practices in the past Walmart because you were convenient, open at all times, are everywhere and your low prices. I like how you offer price matching, but please instruct your cashier to be nicer about it and to not treat me like a shady character. My teacher badge means something to me and should to you as well. I do not like to be treated poorly. Thank you manager for making it happen even when your cashier was rude.

On the other hand...
Dear Walmart Greeter at the Midvale Walmart,

You are my favorite! I would love to keep you around. I love how you bring a smile to my face every time I go into the store. You do your job well and people can hear you. I missed you when you were gone. I hope you are feeling better now that you are back. I will keep you and never go into Miss Cashier's line again, and if for some reason I am forced to do it, and I find out her name, I will complain to the manager about poor customer service--you never have been very nice to me, and yes I have I used your line before...Walmart please work on your customer service with your cashiers. THANK YOU!

Upset Customer,
Rachel

Political Rant...

Despite many around me I have not yet decided who to vote for for President next fall. I think this is a true indicator of how I am a true moderate in my political beliefs. I also am referring to people who have chosen our current President Obama and not just Candidate Mitt Romney.

A few things I do not like about this election: People assume I need to vote for Mitt Romney because he is Mormon, and or Republican. For my Mormon friends, never has it been said that we need to vote for a republican in church and never will. The Republican party of Abraham Lincoln was more like the Democrats of today. Democrats have also changed. Parties change over time. Mormons outside of the United States tend to like the Democrats of the United States.

In my world I have seen benefits of both candidates. I voted for Obama in the past and do not regret it. I had a hard time in that election too. I do not think Obama is perfect, but I also do not think Romney is either as is evidence by the rest of this rant.

Mitt Romney made some major mistakes in his political tour. Many will not think these are major, but let it be known they are and can possibly lead to some major terrorist actions.

Mitt Romney declared Jerusalem to be the capitol of the Jewish state. For many this is true, but the US embassy is in Tel Aviv where they recognize as the capitol because of the situation where Palestinians (who have an Olympic team) refer to Jerusalem as their capitol. He went on and talked about how the culture of the Israelis is better than that of the Palestinians. Really??? Are you kidding me??? That is a super racist comment. I know that the US is the best ally to Israel, but should we be? In the United States we only here of those Palestinian terrorists, but do we hear of all the horrible things Israel is doing to occupied Palestinians? They take over their given territory and build settlements and expect Palestinians to be ok and even happy about it. That is not a peace settlement move. How would you feel if in 1948 you have to give up land for a Jewish state? I do not disagree it should exist, it should, but not at the downfall of the Palestinians. Many are still in refugee camps. Yes refugees since 1948. It is many generational problem. Their "culture" may be less according to Romney because their businesses may be small, and many have little money, but they cannot help that.

Now to my Mormon friends who say things in regards to how this is fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant. You are right, Jews living in Israel is part of that. But...did you ever consider that Abraham is one of the Muslim prophets too? They descendants from him too. Shouldn't they be considered for that as well? Palestinians can be Muslim or Christian. Both we should respect and be good world citizens with.

Okay last part of my rant...Many of the middle eastern problems we have had are due to this conflict and US relations with Israel. It may not be the only factor, but Middle eastern people will stick with their brothers and sisters in Palestine above the US every time. It is not a good idea to treat them poorly.

I may still not have made a definite decision for this fall, but this recent event is a point in the Obama camp in my book.

Boyfriends Through Time...

As you know I went on an AMAZING trip to Boston and Philadelphia with some of my favorite people in the whole world: JHAT teachers. JHAT=Jordan History Academy of Teachers this group was specifically 4th and 5th grade teachers. Here is a link to amazing teaching ideas and movies staring us using the strategies we learned. JHAT. I had many boyfriends on this trip and it was a delightful experience.



On the trip it became kind of a joke that as one of the single ladies, I could find a boyfriend. It all started in Plimouth on the Mayfower II. John Alden was on the ship. The Mayflower II is set in 1620 shortly after the Pilgrims arrive and lucky for me John Alden is still single. So of course I took a picture of him with me. So he was my first boyfriend. True Tammy and I share him, and he did get a little embarrassed, but he is an amazing boyfriend.





On our bike ride from Lexington to Concord I luckily found another boyfriend...sadly I do not know his name. I do however know he was a good soldier at the dawn of the Revolution.





Later that day we got to see Mr. Thoreau. It is true that perhaps he was not looking for a wife and that he wanted to live his days deliberately in the woods near Walden Pond in a simple way, but how could I resist such a man as Henry David Thoreau.





As we continued on our trip I acquired more boyfriends. On the Freedom Trail I found Robert Newman. He was the one who put the lantern in the Old North Church for Mr. Paul Revere. William Dawes also made that midnight ride lest we forget... Mr. Newman was not so keen on sharing me with my other boyfriends so I did have to say he was my one true boyfriend.





Also on the Freedom Trail and now onto the war or 1812 I found another boyfriend. Perhaps one of my favorite experiences from the trip was to go onto the USS Constitution. That is where I found my FAVORITE boyfriend of the trip. The USS Constitution is the longest running commissioned naval ship still afloat in the world. There the people running the ship are Naval Officers in our current Navy. Some are dressed in naval uniforms of today where as others such as my boyfriend are dressed as if they were in 1812. I still am a little giddy thinking of him, true story ...the saddest part about it is that I do not know his name.




Valley Forge and an awful winter brought me to my next boyfriend. He perhaps is a little old for me, but he will do the job through that hard winter. "Welcome to winter at Valley Forge."





I also acquired a Ranger boyfriend. He was stationed at Valley Forge near George Washington's Headquarters. Ranger Rick at the Adams National Historic Park was not nice, but this fellow was and so he became my boyfriend ...He is quite adorable if I should say so myself.





John Dunlap was a boyfriend that got everyone involved even Reid. I knew this adventure was a success then. John Dunlap may drink a little too much and spend his time in the City Tavern where we met, but he had an important job to do with the Declaration. He was the printer to the Declaration of Independence. I do enjoy him.




My last boyfriend was a tour guide of sorts in Philadelphia. He was flustered by all the Utah teachers. I do have a funny look on my face, but He was a good end to my week of boyfriends. Alas, too bad this wasn't real life.






One more boyfriend who will always mean a lot to me is my Movie Star boyfriend Matt Damon. He grew up in Boston and went to Harvard for a time. I did not see this, but Pam S'ua texted me this as she took the Harvard tour from Harvard students. He lived in this apartment. I only went to the campus, on a self guided tour so I did not see this, but still worthy to add to this boyfriend post.

School's Out For Summer?

School ended Friday. "No more teachers, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks." In the last few weeks I have been having some sort of dream or perhaps a nightmare of sorts about school almost every night. Why at the end of the year and even after school is done am I having these dreams? They are typical teacher dreams of forgetting what you are going to say, or where your room is, or moving rooms...no wait that is what I am doing and have to finish tomorrow. Often they include teacher's from my school.

It is the first day of school. I am in my classroom. There is something different however. I have 30 students but I also have a team teacher. We each have our own teacher desk. The other teacher won't let me do anything and acts like I am incompetent. Well it might be true since I came to the first day of school dressed in a hospital gown. So I had to be very careful not to bend over and keep the back of the gown shut.

This is the closest thing I have ever come to a dream where I am naked, or in my underwear. I understand that for many people they are quite common, but for me I don't remember having them. I often dream that I am falling or loosing my teeth. Yikes.

Here is the one from last night. Still makes me a little skittish.

My school was like the one from Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. It was tall with one room stacked one on top of each other. The difference was that there were two sky scrapper schools next to each other. What they were trying to do was connect them with a play area on the 77th floor...where I was. We had to strap the kids in harnesses to play on a black top area with no railings or anything to keep them on this area connecting the two buildings. I also had to be strapped into one of these, but my strap did not latch very well and I thought I was going to fall. If you know me, you know I am not afraid of heights per se, but I am afraid of falling.

Let's see if this trend continues tonight...I hope not.

31

31 things I did in my 31st year...
1-JHAT CLASS-learned a lot about History and teaching.
2-Learned my Love of Dr. Who-Who doesn't love time travel in a telephone booth?
3-New Bookshelf-I have way too many books.
4-ESL Endorsement--ok its done tomorrow, but close enough.
5-JPAS--totally got an awesome score.
6-California 4 times-all in So. Cal and all for different reasons.
7-Disneyland Universal Studios-had fun and would love to go again sometime.
8-RS President and Released-learned a lot.
9-Family Ward-left the singles ward early
10-IPAD-bought one and love it!
11-Fell in love with song REWIND by Goldspot-Listened to it many, many times on my ipod.
12-SUU master's classes started-took 2 and got As in both!
13-One new Sister-in-Law and one more on the way.
14-Moved classrooms for the 3rd year in a row--and probably will not be my last move in the school.
15-Zion NP, ST. George Temple, Shakespeare Festival-had a mini vacation loved both!
16-Class won contest of food drive
17-Started Laser Hair removal on my legs.
18-Scar on leg from Ropes course and overcame fears-falling from heights, not heights is a fear of mine.
19-Apline Coaster-Staycation during fall break.
20-Copper Mine-Biggest open pit copper mine on my doorstep and this was my first time there.
21-Survived one of the hardest classes of my career-love them and want the best for them, but is ok to say adios!
22-Went through 2 frequent shopper snow cone cards-I love snow cones!
23-Flood from upstairs neighbors,and their smoke--oh wait they said they were cooking...so glad they moved.
24-New oven-one burner from my old oven did not work so I had to buy a new one. It is so nice!
25-Watched every episode of "How I met your Mother"-I think its pretty funny.
26-Real game-first time back at a REAL game and first time at their stadium
27-pass of all passes-purchased the pass and have used it several times for Laser Tag.
28-Portable-my classroom this year was a portable. Don't really want to do that again.
29-neice in my class-She is adorable and I loved having her.
30-only one within dating age at new years without a date--yucky pda
31-Army Men left on my doorstep-Some great friends left some army men at my door as a joke. It made my day!

On a side note I went to Baskin Robins for my Birthday to celebrate turning 31!

Table 9

As the day of my brother's wedding is approaching--as in 3 more days--I am kinda feeling like I am sitting on table 9. I am happy for him and all, but being the single person I am--I belong on Table 9. He and Donnie are going to be very happy and have a good life. It will be a nice wedding after many hours in the car and many hours back. My brother is fantastic and I love him and want him to be happy. For the rest of us...Enjoy!

Top Ten List

As inspired by my friend I got set up on a date with. Here is my top ten list.

TOP TEN WAYS YOU KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE DATING WORLD TOO LONG...

1. When you have been set up with someone on a blind date with someone you already know.

2. When you know someone who has written a dating book.

3. When other single people (often younger) are giving you lectures about why you are still single.

4. When a co-worker who is 20 years older then you tries to make a pact that when you are a certain age you will get married to each other.

5. When you have friends who have been married 3 times before you can get married once.

6. When you are the last child in your family to get married.

7. When your nieces and nephews set you up on dates.

8. When every other single person in your dating pool is either 10 years older or 10 years younger than you.

9. When all viable options for dating already have been married and have kids and are on round two when you are still on round one.

10. When people assume you have been married before because nobody is single this long.


**Disclaimer, most of these are true to my own experience. If you have any others to add to my list, please let me know. I have had some good laughs thinking about it this last week or so.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
When you have friends who set you up with someone in a different state.
When you haven’t been on a date for many months to year+.
When nieces and nephews get married before you.

Blind Dates

Usually they are just ok, sometimes with a good story, rarely is it good. I just had two of the three I these. Good story and a just ok one maybe a little better than ok but I will get to that. So first start with my good story. I had an amazing ward 10 years ago at BYU the 198th. I had good friends, crushes and mutual likes. My cousin Kathleen set me up with 2 fellows this last week. One was a friend from this 198th ward. She didn't know I have known him for about 10 years. Had a crush on his roommate and his other roommate often tried to ask me out but I always dodged it. Both are now married. My date is the only one still single out of that group When he saw me he said "you know you have been in the dating world too long when..." it was funny. We had a good time, caught up on whats going on in our lives and of common people we knew. I enjoyed myself.
The ok date was probably more than ok but maybe not that good. He is a nice guy we had fun and somethings in common but there just wasn't the essential spark. Not saying I wouldn't go out with him again but... Life is such that we live hundreds of miles away from each other we have some things in common but also have some differing opinions about some big ticket items as was shown by some of our conversation. That's is all well and good because even if it did work out I wasn't completely sure I wanted to give up my life here anyway. I have a good job and a mortgage. I would give it up for someone who was the love of my life but not really until there was a ring on my my on my finger. So there you go.

forbiden fruit

So I have finally done it. I got an ipad after the declaration I made almost a year ago that I was going to get one. It is an ipad 2 not the new ipad. I decided that the extra 100 dollars wasn't worth it for me. Many people disagree, but for my purposes its fantastic. I had my name put on the back-because I am cool like that. So I pretty much think apple products are amazing. I have many of their usb cables all over. I have one at school, home, backpack etc. My grand total of apple devices that I use on a regular basis is 5. So here is the run down...
ipad-pretty much going to use it for everything. I don't own a computer myself so this will do most everything I want a computer to do.
MacBook pro-it belongs to the school, but I use it daily for school and home use.
ipod touch- got it through JHAT and use it for daily ipod type stuff like listening to music, games etc. I will also admit that I use the free text app to call my phone when I forget where I put it down.
iphone-probably used the most, but good news is I often am where I can get wi-fi free or am already paying for it.
ipod classic-so this one was my first true owned by me apple device. Still love it, amazing still. I use this for car trips and such since it can hold 80 g of data.

If I were to get a new one it would be a shuffle since they are so small, but really do I need it? Probably not.

Who Moved My Cheese?

Who moved my cheese?
Transition is a hard thing sometimes. I am full of new changes. Some I am a little more comfortable then others. Changes in my life:
1. Released from my calling. Yes that was a good move and a necessary one. I felt strongly about being released. The aftermath is a little hard being in the same ward at least for a time.
2. Ward changes-in the current YSA ward the bishopric has changed. I have no great desire for them to know me or me to know them because I am leaving soon. But what ward do I go to? The itty bitty branch or the ginormous ward? The itty bitty family branch is with my neighbors. Someone thought it was a great idea to put a few complexes together for a branch, putting all of the high turnover in one place. Seems like a great idea for the stake, but for people like me who are a little more stable it could be hard. Yikes! How hard is it to be in a ward with just newly weds and retirees. I just don't know. Bonus is that this ward starts at 9. The other ward is the massive mid singles ward for the southern part of salt lake county. 6 relief societies and 3 elders quorums. Bonus with this ward is that I would be in similar age and circumstance with these ward members, it's hard because of how many people there are. Truth is I want to meet people my age, for friendships or possible dating and marriage opportunities.
3. Friend transitions--Because I am changing wards, so too will some of my friends change. That is just how it works. You change things you do and some friends stay with you while other leave. Also some friends have gotten married. Yes they are still friends, but things are different and should be. Its just hard for me because I live alone. I need interaction with people and lets face it, facebook isn't going to cut it.
4. Family transitions--So I have said this before,my brothers are both serious about girls. One is for sure getting married in May and the other it looks like will sometime in the near future. I am happy to add people to my family, but its hard when they enter your family. They are both shy which means they are hard to get to know. Do they really want to be in our family? I don't know. I know they love my brothers, but I sometimes feel like they don't know what to do with me: the unmarried single one. I just don't seem to fit into categories that some people have.

President Burgess from the singles stake said that in times if transition that is when Satan comes after you. It's true... Because of these transitions I am feeling less motivation to go to church, to read scriptures, etc. I really don't want to go to church. I see myself as a faithful person, but I don't feel like I fit anywhere. I went to the family branch today and it was ok. People were nice enough, but the puzzle piece that is me, doesn't fit into this picture. Or does it? Would it fit in the mid singles ward? I don't know?
My life the way I was trained to go to get my cheese has been moved. Perhaps it means I will get a greater reward for going through my maze of life to the new cheese.
I have Guide posts in my life and need to use them.
What steps next: follow promptings, follow the teachings I know from the gospel. It will be ok. Those blessings promised to me will be rewarded in Gods time and in His own way. It will be worth it.

Upper Crust...

Well perhaps I am a little bit. Even though maybe I don't make enough to be really part of the upper middle class or upper class...I kinda act like I am sometimes--or so it says on this survey. I think teachers are especially like this. We maybe make money like we are in the middle to lower middle class--and yes probably no matter what we are in the middle class, but because we are more educated on a whole we don't act like others who make similar amounts of money would.

How Thick Is Your Bubble? Guest Score » 5 out of 20 (25% ) Result On a scale from 0 to 20 points, where 20 signifies full engagement with mainstream American culture and 0 signifies deep cultural isolation within the new upper class bubble, you scored between 5 and 8. In other words, you can see through your bubble, but you need to get out more. Quiz School Take this quiz & get your score

How Thick Is Your Bubble? » Create A Quiz

Crazy Old Lady...

So I had this realization today....I am going to be a crazy old lady. Yes its true, I sing instructions to my students using familiar tunes like "She'll be coming round the mountain..." and give instructions like :Its time to line up, yes it is...Its time to line up yes it is...Its time to line up, its time to line up, its time to line up, yes it is. So the best part about this is that I do this with just making it up on the fly. So if I do this now I know I am going to be much more crazy when I am older. Why wouldn't I be? Anyone out there do this too, or is it just me? If you do, do you have any other songs that you use that I can steal?

My blog posts recently have been short and sweet, or bitter as the case may have been. So there you go!

Super Grateful...

So today at the Valentine's party, I lost my phone...but good news I found it. I couldn't find it for a few hours, yes hours. I prayed and yes my prayer was answered. I am also grateful for the people from JHAT. That really was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only did I learn a lot, but I made some amazing friends. In this, not so pleasant time in my life, they listen to me and really care. That is what I want and need. I am also grateful for a bishop who listens to me and is also looking out for my needs.

So side note on Valentines day. It was a truly awful day...and not in the way you think. The kids at school today were out of control! They had a hard time staying on task, and kinda wouldn't listen. So there you go. Tomorrow will be better. My kids at school are trying, and I do think that my classes really are helping me become a better teacher. So tomorrow is a new day and I can make it a great one!

*****

So for anyone who really reads this blog, I will try to make it more upbeat next time I write. I have just had a hard time the last little while, I am sorry! Forgive me please. I know I have a support system, I know people love me. I know that things will be good, its just maybe not the good that I want. Its really ok to have my life. I have a job that matters, and a responsibility with that. I have skills that are useful and helpful to others. Life is good... :)

One is the Lonliest Number

Ok so I said to myself I wouldn't do anymore depressing blog posts, but this is my outlet, whether anyone reads it or not. So its true...both of my brothers look like they are getting married this summer. Yes I am excited for them, but really this sucks for me, royally. I know they have to do what is best for them, but I feel like they don't even know how hard this is for me being single, 30, LDS, haven't been on a date in a long time, and been on a good date even longer. I have no prospects. This is all I ever wanted in my life. I wanted to have the blessings of marriage, but it is not looking too likely. I know 30 is young or so they say...but I haven't had any decent prospects in years. Guys who are my age who are still single are basically full of themselves, or are losers. The other option is that they are divorced but that is another can of worms.
So fun summer eh?
My other favorite thing is that every time I know someone who gets married basically forgets me after they are married. Its like they don't know what to do with me. I am the outlier of their perfect little lives of marriedhood. What do you do with your random single friend. You can't go to dinner with them...that's what couples do...and then they have kids and then what do you do with your random single friend...really what do you do?
I have lost so many friends because of marriage...and it looks like that may be the case with my brothers too. Ya I know we still see each other at family things, but really how often do they really happen?
So there you go. I am discouraged, upset.

FREAK OUT

Ok so I am freaking out about some things...some have been previously mentioned. Ok lets be honest, all have been mentioned or at least alluded to.
Just a list because I don't think I have it in me to elaborate. I do however need an outlet--ie the blog.
1-my class I love them, but dang they are a hard class
2-my classes-ya did I mention I was going back to school for a masters/esl endorsement. Taking about 12 credits.
3-my calling-its good for me, but I am having a hard time keeping up with it
4-my brother's serious relationships-seriously both of them and no rain in sight for me
5-OK the issue plaguing many a single girl--will I find someone? will I be able to have kids?


My sister-in-law said something at Christmas that she knew I would get married, but if not and I still wanted kids I could adopt and the family would help me. Ya that is an upper and a downer of a conversation. And no I don't want to be a single parent in any form. I would rather just be single.

Basically it boils down to this: I have too many things to do and things are falling apart. I am only semi successful at all of them. An quite honestly semi successful really means just keeping my head above water. HELP!

Letter to me

Dear Me,
I know you are overwhelmed and and doing your best. I know you feel like things are slipping through the cracks and you are just trying to survive. You can do this! You have some skills that can help you with this. Life will be ok, even if things keep piling on. You are ok, and life will great. Something better will come along. All that baggage you carry, is ok to let go. Good luck with accomplishing all of your tasks. Its ok to let things go, but what? Figure out what works for you.
Love,
Me

A Few Good Men

So I came home today after FHE and picking up a few books at the library to find this at my door. Ya I laughed, took a picture and cleaned up. So truth is someone must have just done it before I got home, because the super glue was still wet, which means it got on my hands and dried there. Boo on that, but still funny. And in case you were wondering, yes I did make a facebook post.
Truth is I want to know who did it...maybe someday some awesome person will confess. I will admit I loved it, except the glue that dried on my fingers...

Callings

I have learned a lot about callings recently.
First, we can only do the best we can. That includes me--I have a capacity and that is what I can do. But this also includes others. I can't expect more out of people than they can do. They are doing their best so, that is what they can do.

Secondly, callings help us to become better people. We can learn a lot from them

Thirdly, callings can come from a prompting but also it can be a calling out of convenience. Both are good and can help us learn and grow and help not only ourselves but others too.

So there we go...

I Hope That Something Better Comes Along

So I have some New Years Resolutions...I am trying to be realistic about them, but also accomplish them. So here goes...

Read John Adams and at least 1 book a month for fun and learning. How To: Read before bed...

Read at least 1 verse of Book of Mormon Daily--I admit I am not that great at it, and need to be better. How To:1 verse isn't that bad so I can do it. Also I found a scripture study 40 day program--get through all of the Book of Mormon-- that some RS president created and posted on Sugar Doodle. I gave it to our Relief Society and I am using it too.

Build better Relationships with friends and family. How To: Visit or talk to someone at least once a week. Doable no?

Be more healthy. How To: Exercise a more and eat better.

To go along with the one above I want to make myself a healthy dinner at least once a week.(I like to cook, just not for one person, so I sometimes don't eat as healthy as I should...I eat too many convenience foods.) How To: Plan meals before I go grocery shopping.

Write on my blog at least once a month. Ok so I don't write a journal, at least this is showing my thoughts and such... and I should contribute more to the Van Orden blog. How To: Think about what is going on in my life and just write it down.

Be a better teacher. How To: stay more up to date on planning and grading. I have it in me, but I get behind.

Go to someplace new. How To: I am going to Boston with JHAT--ya I am siked! But I am going to try somewhere else too--stay tuned.

Do something fun/go somewhere at least once a month. (museums, Seven Peaks etc.) How To: Plan ahead, and utilize my pass of all passes.

Organize my house and declutter. How To: Put things in their place and do some organizing my life a little each day.

In addition I need to make sure I reevalutate often...

So I have had this muppets song stuck in my head for days. I think it works here as my title of this post, but also for my life. I somehow have become obsessed with my lack of dating. Boo, right! I am fine and should be fine with being single. Why should I be sad about my brothers dating and me not. I am happy, but I should more kind about it. Well that's all I want to say about it...

Premise of the clip: Miss Piggy and Kermit are on a date, shorty after meeting eachother and Miss Piggy gets a phone call and then just disappeared. Kermit is sad, obviously. He goes to the pianist Rowlf and they sing this song.