Farr's Ice Cream

As a final hurrah to National Ice-Cream Month, I got my favorite brand of ice-cream. Farr's Ice Cream, Truly Eastern Idaho's Finest! Glad to be visiting in Idaho!! 

Things I Love

Have you seen the article 25 Things Mormon Girls Love? It's kind of funny and pretty accurate.
I was going through the list thinking "Yes" and "No" to all of them.

Of the 25 things, here's what I like (though I'm more "woman", than "girl")

1. Pinterest. Finally joined almost a year ago!


http://pinterest.com/wendymallred/boards/

2. Frozen Yogurt....AND Ice Cream!!

3. Target

4. Pride and Prejudice

5. Taylor Swift (used to be a hater, but I think she's great now)

6. Reminiscing about Girl's Camp

7. Blogs... Obviously ;)

8. Cupcakes

9. The word "Awesome". I try to use other words as much as possible, but this really is my default.

10. Diet Coke... but more so Dr. Pepper

11. Mason Jars

12. San Diego Temple.

Disney Princess Castle

13. Neon Workout Clothes. Not to an 80's party, but to the Neon Splash Dash 5K!

14. Photography... but just as a hobby rather than side business

15. Nice Handwriting. Don't care if it's "cute". Just good. I'm a teacher.

16. Inspirational Quotes

The rest of the list, I do not love:

1. Chevrons
2. Lace-trim tank tops
3. Those baby names posted (but hey, cute maternity dress!)
4. The Bachelorette
5. Group Dates
6. Having DTR's
7. "The Evolution of the Swim Suit" Video (No, I don't wear bikinis either)

AND... I feel pretty neutral in regards to the Romney's marriage and even Mustaches on Sticks.
I've never really thought anything about them one way or the other.

New (Late) Discoveries

This summer I've discovered a few things... that most of you have already discovered. I'm just a little late. I don't know why it always takes me a little while longer to discover these things... but it does ☺

Discovery #1: Spotify
Not that I haven't heard of Spotify before, but I've never tried it out... so I never realized how great it is! I can listen to so many artists or albums that I want and I am discovering so many new (and old) awesome songs. After my free trial is up, however, I probably won't stay at Premium since I just don't listen to it enough to justify the subscription. But I'm really enjoying discovering some new music right now.

Discovery #2: The Little Mermaid on Broadway
How have I not listened (or gone to see it) until now! Thanks to Spotify I finally listened to all of the music and it is amazing. The music is amazing. The performers are amazing. Everything is amazing. It is also pretty funny. Seriously, this musical combines two of the greatest things ever: Disney and Broadway Musicals. I've been loving my road trips as I sing along to the music (good thing I'm alone in my car)

Discovery #3: New Star Trek Movies
With my Dad and brothers as Star Trek fans, I did grow up with these movies. But I never really watched the new Star Trek movie. Last month, I went and saw Star Trek Into Darkness and was suprised how much I loved it! Then I had to watch the new Star Trek movie and loved it too! They are my new favorite movies right now ☺
So I could understand the story better, I decided to watch the Wrath of Khan and Search for Spock. I remembered how much Khan scared me when I was little and how those bugs tramatized me. I still liked it, but I like the new Khan better (because I love him in Sherlock). Now I need to watch movie IV, Voyage Home. Growing up, that movie was always my favorite with the whales and breaking Chekov out of the hospital. Folks, it looks like I am officially a Star Trek Fan!

4 Corners

Four Corners

I once observed a middle school social studies classroom where the teacher lead an excellent learning activity with her students called Four Corners. The lesson's topic brought up a controversial question. In her classroom, each corner had one of the four signs: Agree, Somewhat Agree, Somewhat Disagree, Disagree

She invited her students to walk to one of these corners to represent their feelings about the topic. In each corner, students discussed among themselves why they chose to walk there. Then as a class, each corner discussed why they either agreed or disagreed (or somewhat disagreed/agreed).

I was very impressed with many of the students during this activity. No one from the other corners interrupted or argued their disagreements. Each got a turn to share their opinions and be heard. Some were brave enough to stand alone in their own corner, while others were brave enough to change their mind and walk to another corner after hearing other sides.

It gave me hope for a brighter future and the world our youth have the potential to create.  

Fate is Kind

Sometimes in our life "not everything we touch is turned to gold". Sometimes we have disappointments, frustrations, etc. Sometimes it gets to a point where you just wish you could finally catch a break.

Sometimes I found myself automatically expecting things not to work out, like that attitude of "me against the world". To counter that, I created a playlist of positive songs to bring me out of that funk.

Today, as I drove to Phoenix for my Teaching Certificate, I found myself imagining all kinds of things that could go wrong...Then I remembered my old playlist. I put it on and immediately felt better. I felt optimistic.

The song When You Wish Upon a Star really did the trick:

♫"Fate is kind. She brings to those who find the sweet fulfillment of that secret longing. Like a boat out on the blue, fate steps in and sees you through. When you wish upon a star your dreams come true."♫

It was a good reminder that "Fate" isn't some mean force that sets things in motion to make me fail. 

Fate is kind and will step in to help me succeed. Fate wants to help make my dreams come true.

I got to the Department of Education and as they were getting ready to process my Teaching Certificate, I mentioned I also had my music endorsement application to turn in. Another lady who works for the Department walked up to the window and said she heard me mention my music endorsement. She offered to process that right then and there and add it to my Certificate! 

I'll never forget the look of shock on the other lady's face...endorsements typically take weeks to get. 

Moments later, she walks out, hands me my brand new Teacher Certificate (including my music endorsement) and congratulates me. I just wanted to hug this kind lady!! She went above and beyond for me. I felt like I had experienced a little miracle.

I expressed my sincerest gratitude and she wished me good luck. I couldn't stop smiling the whole drive home :)

Ladies and gentlemen....

I am now CERTIFIED and HIGHLY QUALIFIED.
It feels good to finally say that!

All because Fate is Kind

Masters Degree: Completed!!

Final grades were posted tonight and even though I'm waiting for my diploma in the mail... as far as I'm concerned, it's official!!

HEY EVERYONE!! I have a Masters Degree from Grand Canyon University in Elementary Education!!!

I didn't go to Phoenix for Commencement, but my family threw me a little graduation party with signs....

And my sister made these amazing cupcakes!! My family is the greatest ☺

On my last day of student teaching, my class also threw me a little party with gifts

And sang ♫ Happy Graduation to you ♫

I was lucky to have such a great cooperating teacher and amazing students!
I gave them bookmarks to say it's been A HOOT and OWL miss them.

The past two years have been a great experience full of hard work, lots of learning and even some fun.

It feels good to finally be done ☺

Track Meet

Our school has a long tradition of holding an annual track meet near the end of the school year.
Today was our grade's turn to participate and it brought back memories of when I was in elementary school competing in events.

So I decided to go through my old photos...

My little sister and I posing with my blue ribbon.
Pretty sure this was from the class relay

Not sure what place these ribbons are or even what events they are from...
but I do remember I always loved the long jump

They still do the track meet on the very same field when I was a kid. From what I remember, not much has changed since then. Fun day!!

Tattoo Removal

About 5 years ago, I was so excited about buying my first car that I also bought bumper stickers to go with it... which we all know is a big mistake.
After a couple years, those girl-power phrases turned from witty to obnoxious.
I often said I could never get a tattoo because I already regretted my bumper stickers

But today was a happy day!
My cousin was able to get those dirty, faded, ridiculous bumper tattoos off!!
It feels great to look at my car and see a clean bumper with no stickers ☺

Crazily enough, I had the thought while driving home to get another sticker...but I resisted! This gal has learned her lesson.
I will now decorate my car with other things... like a brand new license plate frame!

However, I will not buy window stickers... call me superstitious, but bad things happen to my cars after I put a window sticker on.
Things like dead transmissions.
On 2 different cars.
I definitely saw a pattern

Back to my clean bumper... So happy ☺
On to finding more fun and less permanent ways to personalize my car...

Meant to be Loved

Today women are being celebrated all over the world!
Bing has this up in St. Petersburg, Russia to honor International Women's Day:

I love it because-
#1, It's a celebration honoring women and
#2, They are lighting paper lanters! Ever since watching Disney's Tangled, I've been obsessed with them ☺

Today in Russia, it is also tradition to give women these beautiful yellow flowers, called Mimosa:

This quote is funny and sweet...I love it:

Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood
- Oscar Wilde

Enjoy being celebrated and loved!

Synonym Rolls

Student Teaching for 3rd Grade has been fun!
I've been finding so many blogs, websites and Pinterest boards that share tons of great lessons ideas and activities.

I am feeling like this is a great time to be a teacher ☺

Last week I found this lesson idea on Pinterest... Synonym Rolls!

Here is our bulletin board of Synonym Rolls that we created:
(A word and its synonyms written on a cinnamon roll and glued to a "baking sheet")

And then I made these... from SCRATCH:

 

I'm pretty proud of them because I actually had no baking drama (which is typical when I bake) and they were delish!!

 

 

So far, this is probably my favorite lesson of the semester ☺