We're just that cool

As mentioned in a previous post, I decided to go rock climbing again. It was a pleasant surprise that there weren't too many people there, as Saturdays usually yield quite a few rock climbers at the green belt.

Nathan had arranged for us to meet up with a co-worker,Brian, and his fiance,Carissa. Carissa had never rock climbed before and said that she doesn't really like trying new things when other people are watching. I guess she felt pretty comfortable with us because just after Brian and I had gone up she decided to also. As she was up a handful of men with cameras emerged onto the scene. Turns out they are in a photography club and had come to the greenbelt for some shots. They asked if they could take a few pictures of us while we climbed. Of course we obliged.

I really love having pictures of Nathan and I but it is hard to remember to pull the camera out or to have it on me at all! Not long after the photographers arrived some of our friends from church joined us along with 2 of their friends. So what started out as a minimal group of people cheering Carissa on turned into what seemed like a walk on the red carpet. She did great though and got all the way to the top.

Nathan helped out all of us beginners by being the belayer (I don't know how to spell it but it's the person who is controlling the rope from the ground) and coach. He was very patient and helpful. I felt bad that he didn't get to climb much himself but he said that his back was acting up anyway.

So here are a few picutures that our "paparrazi" emailed to us.

Nathan and I

Carissa

Brian

Me again. Well..it IS my blog.

The power of a Compliment

I just recently read a post of a friend's blog wherein he talked about some really nice compliments he'd received lately. It got me thinking about the power of a compliment and why exactly does it have any power at all?

Some compliments make you happy but maybe you don't put a lot of stock into. For example when my first graders tell me that I'm the best teacher in the world. It's very nice but 1) they're in first grade, how many teachers have they really had? 2) At their age memories don't last too long. Unfortunately by the end of this summer some may not even remember my name.

I think other comliments gain power the more you hear them. I've never really thought anything special about my laugh but over the years as I've met new people on a more regular basis I've been complimented on my laugh. The first time I thought, "that was a nice thing for them to say" but now that I have heard it more often from people I feel I have a duty to share my laughter with the world.... just kidding. :) No nothing that dramatic. But at least I feel way less self conscious about laughing. I love to do it so much. It is nice to have a bit more confidence in doing so. I mean, if I would have been compared to a hyena on as many occassions my joy in laughter would have been squelched and I in turn would become an empty shell of a woman.

Some of the best compliments of all are those you receive in regards to something you are unsure of yourself in. I frequently worry about my cooking, as I don't think I'm a good cook. Therefore when my cooking is given a compliment it carries extra power because it makes me think, "wow, there really is hope for me!" Just this Saturday I went rock climbing with Nathan. I can count the number of times I've done that on one hand. It's not something I'm great at. So when he told me how awesome I'd done and how quickly I'd gotten up to the top... I didn't believe him. But he persisted and so now- I think I'll go rock climbing again.

I think we should make a concerted effort to give at least one compliment to someone everyday. It will get easier with time and it will work wonders on you and the person getting the compliment!

I quit!

As the title of my post suggests I recently quit something... my job. And I'm not just talking about the summer break. I will not be returning to the school in August. Do I have another job lined up? No. Is it scary? Not yet anyway.

I guess it was just too bad for me that I started my teaching career probably at the best school in the country. In my humble opinion. It was academically challenging for the students, obviously a challenge for me as a teacher but that would be the case anywhere simply by virtue of the job. The staff was supportive, the parents were involved and made the teachers feel awesome and I felt like my work as a professional was valued and important.

After moving back to Austin from SLC the quest for a new school began. I knew that I'd been spoiled but surely I could find a place somewhat comparable. I'll spare you the gory details of my 2007/2008 school year. In summary, the first week or so left me utterly drained and dreading the next day. At the beginning of the year, an email from a former student at the "fantastic school" stating that it wasn't the same without me, in a better situation would have made me smile with sweet memories. However it made me cry over what I had left behind and it was the first time that I EVER missed living in Utah.

As the year progressed my class and I made huge strides and were able to have fun together on occassion. But it just wasn't the same. In short the end of the school year concluded "not with a bang, but a whimper." The kids were picked up by their parents and went on their way. I had decided a while back that I wasn't going to be returning but I went ahead and gave the official word to my boss on that day. She said I had until the end of June to be sure about it so not to make any hasty decisions. I thought that was a nice offer and part of me thought, "Gosh, is this the right decision?"

The answer to that question came as I drove away from the school for the last time. I heard Dr. King's words in my mind "Free at last, free at last thank God Almighty [I'm] free at last!"

It's true that the students I taught this year were more of a challenge than the previous year. I guess where most of the hardship came was, not from the students, but the lack of support I felt from the school I was at. There wasn't really a system to look to or to lean on. So yes, I do have a place in my heart for the students from this class...just maybe not for the school.

A Post from Nathan

So Janae and I went to Corpus Christi Friday for the Beach to Bay Relay Marathon. Originally we were going to be leaving around 5:30 PM, but around 2:30 I called Janae with some good news, I was coming home early. She of course thought it was great but did not ask how I was able to get work off early. So I told her. You see, whilst eating a wonderful bowl of ramen noodles at work, I plopped down on a chair that possesed a leaning capability. After two bites, I wanted relax a little bit more and began to lean back. That is when the chair decided to give out and throw me back. Well, it did not really throw me back, but it startled me enough to flip my bowl full of ramen right into my lap. I was eating lunch with a co-worker, and we both stared at each other in shock. He ran and told another co-worker, Curtis, so Curtis came running up to stare and laugh. My boss, Billy, heard about it and joined in on the fun. I said I had to go home because one, I smelled like Ramen, and two, it looked like I had peed on myself.
Anyways, we got to Corpus and met up with my parents and had dinner at Joe's Crap Shack, and it actually wasn't Crappy this time (Yes I know it is callled Joe's Crab Shack). Then we met up with the rest of our team to discuss logistics. By this time, it was about 10:00 PM. The team members were myself, my Dad, David and Christy Francis, David's sister Beth, and Beth's husband Justin. It ended up that my Dad and I were going to run the last two legs, so we got to sleep in until 8:00 AM while most of the other team got up at 4:00 AM. Janae's sister,Shayla, was there running in another team, and somehow Janae got picked to babysit one of Shayla's teammates babies that morning.So she had to get up at 6:20 AM. She was nice enough not to wake me up. I like my sleep.
Before we left, my dad, mom, and I wanted to figure out how our team was doing, so we called David (who was going to run the fourth leg). By this time, it was 8:30 AM, and I woke David up. Good thing I called, because later we found out that he was actually about 10 minutes late to the relay station, and Justin just had to sit there and wait for him. My mom and I dropped my dad off with plenty of time to spare. I decided that I was hungry and needed to get something to eat. We went to a gas station, and I saw a lovely banana nut muffin that looked enticing. I thought to myself, "this could be good." Now, I would also like to mention that I typically do not run or exercise in the morning. I have been doing that right after work, before I have anything to eat. So my mom and I go to my starting area where I would be picking up the baton from my dad, and we decide we need to go to the bathroom. Porta-potties were there with lines that were about 20 minutes long. I sat there drinking water and eating my muffin. It was about that point that my stomach began to feel upset. In the back of my mind I began to think that maybe the muffin idea wasn't the best one I had had that morning. I stopped eating it, but the damage was done.

By the time my dad got to me, my stomach was twisting and turning, I felt like I had to go to the bathroom again, and I was suppose to run 4.37 miles. Not a good combination. The first half mile or so was ok, but after that it was all down hill. I was fighting back nausea with every step, but I was too stubborn to stop and throw up. I just kept on going in misery. It was an easy route to run, but I have never felt as bad running as I did then. Oh wait, there was once. I had eaten two hot dogs with jalepenos and left right afterward to run. I did a 7 minute mile, then I walked home. But this time, I couldn't stop and walk home, I was in a race. So anyways, I finished the race, crossed the finish line, loooked up and saw Janae, walked toward her, then procceeded to throw up my muffin. I had never felt better. I tried to do it discreetly, but that is kind of hard when there are hundreds of people around. I didn't hear any one say anything though... Maybe I got away with it. But anyways, here is the moral of the story. Stay away from gas station banana nut muffins before running a race. Second lesson, if you feel like you need to throw up, just stop and do it. You'll feel better afterwards and probably be able to run faster. Right after the race my mom and dad were driving to come pick us up, and they were about to pass us, so I began to run and chase them down... And I felt great.

I've been tagged

Well my friend Christy tagged me to do some task. I'm not too sure what it is but here goes. (I hope you're happy Christy, I don't do this for just anyone!)

Pick up the nearest book (one with at least 123 pages)
Open to page 123
Find the 5th Sentence
Post the next 3 sentences
Tag 5 people

"He cleared his throat. 'I am here, as i'm sure you know, because of Albus Dumbledore's will.' Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at one another."

Since I'm in the living room and my current reads are in my room, the last installment of Harry Potter on the coffee table will have to do. As for tagging 5 people, well I don't know if 5 people read my blog. But ok just for fun.

Aaron, Melissa, Shayla,Erin and Jodi.

Speaking of books, last week I read a WONDERFUL book called Marley and Me by John Grogan. It's so enjoyable, probably a bit more so if you are a dog owner or just dog lover. By chapter 4 I had already laughed out loud and, yes, cried. There's just something about dogs.

I've always liked them but I never thought I'd be the owner of not 1 but 2 Huskies. I have my husband to thank for that. Nathan had wanted a dog his whole life so when we were married he figured enough was enough. I was alright with the idea, I just didn't want to be living in an apartment (as we were) when we got a dog. Well long story short, to avoid a divorce (ever had one of those? :) we got our first dog, Kya.

She was spunky and had/has a will of her own. She's very smart and super sweet, but not very cuddly. Seeing that we had a new dog that I wasn't totally comfortable with yet Nathan thought it would be a great idea to go to California for a long weekend. We'd had Kya for about a week. It was a disaster. I thought she was purposely disobedient. As if she knew she was making my life hellish. She nipped at me and found every way to avoid getting her harness and leash on.

I called Nathan, in tears, telling him that he must not love me to leave me with such a mean dog. The very next day on a night time walk around our complex, Kya got something in her mouth. It made a horrible sound and she kept pawing at her mouth. I couldn't get my fingers into her mouth without her biting me. I was afraid that something really awful had happened to her and that she was on the brink of death. I rushed her to the late night animal hospital. The vet assertively opened Kya's mouth reached in and pulled out.... a small stick. It had gotten lodged in her very back teeth. So much for the brink of death. I had gotten so worried though. I called Nathan when we got back home. Again, in tears. I was so afraid that we were going to lose her. I realized then that I loved her. How had that happened? She could be such a pain in the rear. But there was no going back now.

Fast forward about a year. As Nathan's birthday approached I started thinking more and more about his seemingly incessant comments about getting another dog. I thought that eventually when we had kids, it would be nice for Kya to have a play mate. That way when we were just a bit too busy to play with her, it would be comforting to know she wouldn't feel totally lonely. For his birthday I gave him a card with a picture of a husky puppy on it. 3 months later Pepper joined us.


Aside from being gentle and sweet, the two are opposites. As a puppy Kya had no problem in her crate. Pepper kept Nathan up all night the first night with her whining. Kya was quite large when we got her, Pepper about 3 times smaller. Pepper loves to cuddle, follows either Nathan or I around most of the time. She's also a heavy breather. We always know when she's getting closer. It's either her, or some perv. We're always happy when it turns out that it's the former not the latter :)


So after 2 years of being dog owners, fur all over the place, a backyard of land mines, chewed up wood work in the house and dog food and vet bills worked into the budget.. we couldn't be happier! Here's to you Kya and Pepper. You certainly keep us entertained!

Grandma

Last Wednesday my paternal grandmother died. She was the last grandparent I had here. Even though we knew it was coming and she was ready, it still seemed to catch me off guard... if that makes any sense.

I started to think about her and my other grandparents. It sort of dawned on me that I woudln't be going to "grandma's house" anymore and all the memories associated with that. So in honor of my 2 sets of grandparents, now happily residing in the great beyond, a few memories and thanks.


Bread and jam in milk. I never liked it- kind of makes me happy that you did though.
Gifts at Christmas. Practically the most anticipated mail delivery of the year.
Picking raspberries in the yard.
BYU football fanatic... I still don't get it.
Thanks for the accomodations on our summer vacations.
Thanks for not grossing out when I threw up in your living room after a bad car ride to your house.
Thanks for not punishing me for blowing the horn downstairs.
I think turning the exercise trampoline into a bed for me was a stroke of genius!
Thanks for the money sent at birthdays and snuck into travel coolers on vacation.
And thanks for the warm hugs, warm cookies and warm homes you had for us to visit.

Till we meet again!

Oh hubby my hubby

This is a thank you note to my wonderful, awesome husband. His name is Nathan and even though that rhymes with Satan he's a really good guy. :)
Yesterday I had a visit to the doctor after which I felt EXHAUSTED and in general horrible. (I'm not pregnant by the way) I came home and fell asleep for quite some time. The previous night I had told Nathan how much the clutter in the house was bothering me. That kind of stuff really stresses me out. We made a plan that Monday night we would work together and get this joint looking great! So when he came home he was ready to work.... but I obviously was not. A lesser man would have thanked his lucky stars and promptly begin to play his new Wii. Not Nathan, he mowed the lawn, cleaned a good deal of the house AND made dinner. I am so lucky!