Lock Down

I never posted this because I was too crazy that week, but I edited it and so without further ado here is the harrowing and dramatic tale of "The Lock Down." It was a normal, chaotic day at school. It was lunch and I was busily grading papers and trying to finish up Christmas presents for the students. Then the intercom came on calling all students in for an inside recess. My first thought was "Great Scott, it is not that cold." (The wind chill often sends the kids in from recess.) Then I breathed a very dramatic sigh, because I knew my well crafted work time would turn into entertaining fidgeting children. However, the secretary came back on the intercom and this time she said the most dreaded of all words at a school, "Lock down." Two words and I was struck with fear. I knew this was not a drill, and so I ran outside to usher in the kids. Then came the task of closing all blinds, turning off the lights, and locking the doors. Keep them out of sight, out of mind. I knew nothing else about the situation, and my students began to get jumpy. "What's going on?" they wanted to know and I had no answer. We talked about precautions, keeping ourselves safe, and how fear and jumping to conclusions help nothing, and so we tried to be as normal as possible. We quietly read a funny story to get their minds off the situation, and then I learned why we were in lock down. A member of the safety team brought the news that a citizen had reported a suspicious looking man with a shotgun in the neighborhood next to the school. Needless to say, I gave a word of caution about staying away from windows and doors, but acted as if nothing new was going on. I calmly continued the story, but inside my head I was going crazy. As I was reading, this horrifying thought kept reoccurring: What if he tried to get in OUR room. What would I do? Just like when I was little and would figure out where I would hide if a robber came in, I tried to engineer some other plan of safety. The scariest thought was I was in charge of all of them, my actions affected their lives. I had followed the safety guidelines, but there had to be more I could do. I suddenly wished I had taken more kickboxing classes, lifted more weights, and blast where was our baseball bat? I'm not sure how any of that would really help, but I still thought of it. It's pretty amazing what the brain can do. There I was reading aloud, while I thought processed how to kung fu the killer, and continued to pray. Prayer kind of battles out fear, and soon I was okay. I knew that I would be able to handle whatever I needed to. The lock down ended about an hour later. They never found the guy, there not even sure if there ever was a guy. They cleared the area, my students and I had a talk about what had happened, then we finished the day and sent them home. I personally left school right after the students. Even though, they said the area was clear, I didn't want to be hanging around after dark with the shot gun man, you never know. This experience did help our school learn what we needed to change in our plan and what had went well. I personally decided that even if we aren't playing softball in the winter, I'm still going to have a bat in my closet, just in case. But more importantly, I'll always have a prayer in my heart.

CHINA

China was pretty much, well amazing. What I learned:
-It is possible to fly for almost 14 hours straight and live.
-The Chinese are still working on some of their translations of English. (See picture)
-The palaces are amazing. In the Forbidden City they built thresholds on every door because they believed that the
ghosts couldn't jump over them.
-There is no such thing as personal space, and I mean none.
-When you see the animal's head on the plate, it is time to stop eating.
-I am normal height in China.
-Pretty much any sign somehow stands for good luck.
-Crossing the street is a form of bravery.
-When a man can balance his body on a spear, lay on a bed of nails, and have a block broken on his stomach, you know
you are at a real Kung Fu show.
-If you want compliments go to the markets, all you will hear is “Pretty lady, pretty lady come look."
-Bargaining is an art, and you know you have made it when you give your final price, walk down the hall, around the
corner and they run to find you and concede defeat.
-At every palace or tomb everything stands for something, the color, the design, the animals. It all has some
special meaning.
-There is no singing, dancing, or signs allowed on Tiananmen Square, period. (If you want to try it, ask our tour guide
about the Texas dancers, not an amusing experience.)
-Pretty much everything is about Feng shui
-Looking out on The Great Wall of China is unbelievable. (If I don't have your address, email it to me, because you are not going to want to miss me and my acrobatic Great Wall christmas card)
-The Great Wall is about 3,700 miles, I did 1,785 steps to the ninth guard tower and let me tell you, whoo, it is not as
easy as it looks, all of the steps are different sizes.
-The word Olympics and Beijing are on every street corner, and wait till you see the Olympic buildings, amazing.
-Toilets are different in China, and you hope for a toilet that is “western style.” the other option is not pretty.
-The history of emperors and revolutions is fascinating.
-My laminated traveling companion Flat Stanley, given to me by a third grader for educational pictures, was a hit with
the locals.
-Cooked veggies, rice, noodles and meats should not be breakfast items or on the same table as breakfast items.
-Fruit is the favorite and only dessert served after a meal.
-Ballroom dancing, fan dancing, tai chi, singing, sword fighting, jazzercise, dominoes, and cards all come together
every morning at the local park.
-Being sick on a plane over the ocean for 10 hours is probably one of the worst forms of punishment for any person.
-Jet lag can help you accomplish much in the middle of the night, but it makes for a very tired morning.
-An open mind is important
-“There are always two sides to every story.” David ( our Chinese tour guide speaking of the Western world’s view of
China’s past.)
-The world is a big place.
-China is amazing
-We are blessed to live in America.
If I see you at Christmas or before I'll show you my pictures. They are super cool.

The Race That Was Not Meant To Be

I've had several people ask when I'm running Richmond. Alas, it was not to be. The race was actually run Saturday, sadly without me. The story of this tragedy is kind of like A Series of Unfortunate Events. However, I'm hoping for a happy ending. Things were going along just great in my training, until one day I came home with a stabbing pain in my heel. Now normally an ice pack is my best remedy. Unfortunately, the pain in my heel did not go away, and when you feel like someone is pushing a rusty knife in your heel day after day you tend to worry. Thus, I went to the podiatrist. I have to hand it to him, he didn't mince words. He had me walk down this long, cheerless hall as he scrutinized my every step and then proceeded to tell me I had a deformity, I collapse my arch each time I walk, and that if I wasn't careful I might rupture my achilles. Feeling full of joy I went with him to get my feet taped, x-rayed, and started my 9 a day Advil regimen. Then I emptied my piggy bank out for state of the art orthotics. However, these state of the art orthotics haven't been so state of the art for me, but we are tweaking them, trying to avoid surgery. It's been a tad discouraging, but I am optimistic that it will all get figured out, and I'll be back in action soon. In fact my friend and I are starting a new goal: 800 miles in 2008. That is the happy ending I'm looking for.

Halloween

Halloween at an elementary school is a pretty big deal. I had third graders stopping by my classroom daily to hear what costume I had decided on, and I must admit I had nothing. I had looked and looked but nothing seemed right, until one night while I was searching through costumes on the internet and inspiration hit. I saw that brainy, yet lovable Velma from Scooby Doo. Right away I knew this was the costume for me, and so I set about making this magic happen. Unfortunately, I didn't figure this out until Monday which made for a little bit of stress, especially finding orange knee highs. Who knew how hard orange knee highs were to find? Luckily, I found one pair of orange tights hidden away at a costume shop. Bless orange tights.
The elementary school day started with a fun filled Halloween parade through the school and then into the gym for all the parents to see. No pressure, only hundreds of eyes watching your every move and snapping up pictures that will be pasted in scrapbooks to remember you by forever. Unfortunately, I walked by my tall kids. (Nothing more needs to be said) Then we went back in the classroom for delightful Halloween games, stories and jokes. (I have a ton of them. Hilarity at its best.) As much fun as this was the highlight of my day came when the PTA brought in the sugar cookies. Never in the history of my teaching has the PTA ever messed up on their cookie count. Translated: They only bring in enough cookies for the kids. I don't know if they know about my love for those soft, sugary cookies and that gooey icing they bring to decorate, but I am disappointed every year. However, the heavens smiled down on me this Halloween, for after my students went out to recess there on the tray were FOUR delicious sugar cookies. FOUR! I did not mind that the frosting was gone, oh those cookies. I will happily admit I ate all four cookies for lunch, it was the best lunch I've had all year. As I was happily munching away on the cookies in came two gossiping little sixth graders with a story to tell. And this is the tale they told: Ryan broke up with Katey, and then Emily asked out Bradien, who said no because Ryan told him to, and Cindy who was really only going out with Bradien to get to Ryan paid Zack 10 dollars to ask out Katey as a joke, and then Cindy told Amber to bring it and Amber said she was going to kick Cindy's bleep, and. . . . . (Do you see why I have a hard time keeping track of my own stuff now?) Basically, this meant girls were bawling, rumors were flying and the sixth grade was in an uproar. But have no fear the fences were mended, the tears were dried and everyone was ready for more spooky Halloween fun to end the day. Simply put Halloween at elementary school is a pretty big deal.

Picture Day

Picture day is a pretty big deal. As a teacher it is a lot of pressure. This picture is how you will be remembered by your students forever. Thirty years from now they will be talking to their children about you and they will pull out the old class picture and whamo! There you are. Big nose, poofy hair and wacky grin, or a picture of loveliness. I of course want to be remembered in a kind way, so I try a little harder on picture day to capture that look of loveliness. Now, I'm a thinker and since I had bus duty the day of pictures, I went down to have my picture taking before school started. I guess most teachers are thinkers because three other teachers appeared out of nowhere for pictures as well. We walked in to the picture lady, she smiled and asked teacher number one her name and then, click, click, took her picture. Teacher number two name, click, click, picture; teacher number three name, click, click, picture and then me. I'm sure you can guess something would go wrong, of course without it there is no story. And so I walked up to the picture lady, she smiled at me and said, "Teacher or student." Now let me remind you I teach at an elementary school. The top of the line is sixth grade, that is twelve. (I blame this all on being short. I'm not sure why being short automatically makes you a kid, but for me it does.) I smiled at her using my best oh this is not awkward at all look and said "Teacher." With that vote of confidence I got my picture taken, we can hope for the best, but at least there are retakes. As I walked back down the hall a mom met me to give me her child's picture money. I thought this was a pretty funny story, so I began telling her about it. After I finished I waited for her cue, You know the part where she would say,"You've got to be kidding me, you don't look like a kid." and then we would laugh and I would tell her about how my moisturizer must work wonders on getting rid of any wrinkles. Instead she said, "Well you know the other day when you came walking out with my son to talk to me, I thought to myself, who is this girl with Matt, Does he have a little girlfriend." There you have it, the story of life as a sixth grader.

Pictures from Home

I've been meaning to post these pictures from home for awhile. (Unfortunately, life has been a tad crazy.) We had a wonderful time hiking, visiting, cooking, and going to the valley.

The Fatal Flaw

I have a fatal flaw that I have lived with most of my life. However, this offtrack it almost did me in. You see, I lose things. Lose, however, is such a harsh word. It's more like I misplace things. However, it's not just trivial things, oh no somehow it is always big things, important things. For example, my debit card has been left in the drive through ATM so many times that the banker told me he was going to print me out an award for the most re-issued cards. (This however, is not all my fault, those darn machines, they spit out your receipt and you forget the card is still inside.) I have finally come up with a theory on why I misplace things. It has to do with teaching school. At school I am a cracker jack of responsibility. Remember 150 sixth graders names. Check. Keep track of 100 student's papers a day. Check. Make sure all the students do their assignments, turn them in, take them home to finish. Check. I know exactly where Miley's reading book is, where her math paper got put and what she did with her super hero story. However, once I leave school my brain overloads and must turn off. This is how the off track went. First, at the rental car agency in San Diego, I was so focused on where we would be going and the deal our sweet talkers were giving us, that I somehow left my wallet and the map on the desk. Have no fear just before we pulled away a good Samaritan came running out to give it to us. Phew! Next I went to the valley to a conference. Thinking that I didn't want to carry a bulky purse I took only my license. Unfortunately, sometime during my smooth driving that night I was left with empty pockets at the end of the evening. Thankfully, and I mean thankfully, it didn't get too far, only hidden away under a seat in the car. The next incident was my return flight home. After the flight, I sat waiting for my ride. Conscious that my purse was sitting up high on my luggage for a robber to steal, I responsibly put it under my seat. After a few minutes I wondered if my roommate had her phone and thought back to my last flight in from home, where my phone had been left at home (another wonderful moment in my life, try living without a phone for a few days, ugly, ugly, very, very ugly) I hurriedly got up, grabbed my luggage and took off to find her. Yes, that's right I left the purse there, and when I realized it was gone, it was gone. After a mild heart attack and a hour later my purse was turned in, with nothing missing. Bless all of the dear honest people in the world. This string of events doesn't end there though. You see last week I went into my school to make a few copies and start planning some curriculum. I ran out to my car in a hurry for an appointment, and what did I see? My keys locked inside. I went back inside and told the office staff I was never going to be responsible again and come in off track to work. And now you can see how this fatal flaw has begun it's festering again. However, I'm determined to squash it! So far I've gone a whole week without losing anything, well unless you count my prescription refill, or my friend's phone number, and . . . . ok, ok, nobody is perfect.

Off Track

There are two words that combined bring a smile to me on even the souriest days,"Off track." Spaced conviently throughout the year off track gives weary teachers a moment to recoup and relax, and then come back with all the vehm and vigor they need to help inspire the minds of the future. I am sorry that the track system does not cross over into other fields. Believe me if I were in charge I would give everyone this option. I often tell people how great it is for the kids. They are antsy and crazy, then we go off track and they come back excited and ready to learn ,then the cycle continues they get crazy again and then. . . boom off track. I do believe that this also applies to most teachers, especially me. The words antsy and crazy best describe me before an off track. This year I was in desperate need of getting away. First, I headed off to Rexburg, where I had a marvelous time with one of my dear friends and darling niece, then I came back and headed off to San Diego. Here are some "stunning" pictures of that precious vacation time with one of my best friends. We ran, biked, snorkled, visited museums and gardens, shopped, ate yummy food, went to the temple and just laid on the beach and relaxed. Truly a piece of heaven. Now I sit in one of the greatest places in the world. Home, and I'm not talking about that apartment in the noisy city (ok, I know it's not that big and noisy of a city, but some days.. . . . ) I'm talking home, home. I just got back from a gorgeous walk outside and then spent the remainder of my time on the porch with Chomps, the cat, contemplating life, while the crickets played their tune and the wind softly blew through the trees. Truly poetic. By the time I get back, I'll be completely calm and ready to teach, that is until the cycle continues and December comes, then I'll be ready for another off track.

The Hike

People in Utah are always talking about hiking Mount Timpanogos. They use very conflicting words to describe it like painful beautiful, steep, peaceful, bruised, and triumphant. I've always wanted to see for myself what kind of place gets that kind of description and so yesterday a group of friends and I began our climb. As we began I was ready for the steep, painful trails, and I will admit I was quite nervous. However, we climbed steadily up long switchbacks that gradually inclined. It gave me a chance to see beautiful trees, flowers, moose, deer, and goats. Once we got to the saddle part of the mountain, we ate lunch, and then began the climb to the summit. Now I will admit this was quite steep, and my friend icily turned to me about halfway up and said, "Is this steep enough for you?" I will admit I had been going on about how the first part hadn't been steep. Luckily, you could see the shack at the top and you knew you would only be hiking this steep trail for a little while. Once we got to the top, it was beautiful. You could see the whole valley. At the top we signed our names in a book at the little shack and felt a glowing sense of accomplishment. Little did I know that the real journey was just about to begin. I will admit right now I am a little unsteady on my feet. When I was in high school I was getting ready to hike in the Grand Canyon and my mother told me she was a little bit nervous letting me go, because I was a little clumsy. I objected and told my mom I would be fine, then I proceeded out the front door with my pack on and tripped down the front steps, scraping both knees. It is true, sometimes my feet have issues, but I know this so I'm a pretty slow descender. However, I was not prepared at all for this trip down. It had been a dry, hot year so there was no glacier, a fact that I'll admit brought me hope. However, the first part of the descent was sandy and steep and there was nowhere for my feet to be steadily placed, so I skidded down as best I could grabbing every flower, weed and bush, hoping that none of them were poison ivy. Finally, I was down and then we began our journey across the land of the rocks. Big rocks, medium sized rocks and small rocks covered the ground for as far as the eye could see. My ankles were twisting and turning. After a long, unending journey my friend asked me to take a picture of her to prove that we were in the land of the rocks. As I turned to take her camera my foot got caught in a rock. I was trying to be a good friend and save her expensive camera, so instead of catching myself with my hands, I held the camera up with my hands and landed with a hard thud on my shoulder. That was fall number one. Along the rest of the way down I continued my slow and steady pace. I felt bad for holding people up, so I turned to my friend behind me and asked if she wanted to go in front of me. She laughed and then said,"There is no way I'm having you behind me going down a mountain." and then she said, "I actually like having you in front of me. I just watch where you walk and then I don't walk there." Doesn't that just fill you with confidence. Fall number two came about halfway down the trail that I renamed "The Trail of Death." I caught my foot on a rock and bam I was down. However, I wasn't out, I was just a little banged up. Unfortunately, there was a fall number three, and that just about did me in. We had just over a mile left to hike. I was pretty tired, but I was enjoying the beautiful scenery. Note to everyone: Don't enjoy the beautiful scenery too much while hiking down steep switchbacks. Anyway, my foot caught on a tree root and as my other foot tried to find solid ground it hit a rock, which threw me off balance and turned me toward the edge of the mountain. Needless to say the edge of a mountain isn't a very good place to be, especially when you are falling. Luckily, my brain went into survival mode and said, "Grab something." So after me initial fall, roll, then slide down the side of the mountain my hands grasped a bush and I stayed put. My friend up ahead had heard the commotion and yelled to see if I was alright. Personally, at that moment I didn't feel alright. I wanted to just sit and cry and say, " I just fell down the mountain, no I am not alright." However, that is when my stubborn, little, tough mode perked up and I yelled, "I'm fine, really I'm fine. Let me just get up and I'll be ready to go." A minute later two nice ladies came by, and I watched as their eyes grew wide staring at the girl who was covered from head to toe in back sand. They gave me wet wipes and I cleaned up the best I could. Needless to say I took no more pictures after this and I chatted much less then normal. Mainly, I kept my eyes and thoughts on the trail. However, I am happy to report I did make it down the mountain in one piece. And as I sit writing this with an ice pack on one leg and a heating pad on my back I'm already thinking what I will do different for next year, because once you've seen the top of Mt. Timpanogos you'll definitely be coming back.

The Half

Running is kind of a crazy thing. Runners are kind of a crazy thing, but I guess I've always been a little crazy. For the past month and a half I have been awakened by a shrill beeping sound and a big, glaring, red number 5 staring out at me. I jump happily out of bed (okay, okay I groggily shuffle out of bed) and go out and run. After about a mile I strangely feel happy (ask anyone who has run with me in the morning, we don't speak for the first mile.) I see all of the other crazy people out running, and we wave and say hello. It is the famed and much missed by me, runner's high. Needless to say last year was a big, bad year of sickness and I didn't get to run. This summer however, I began my epic journey back to health and running, and I completed my first goal of the Logan Half Marathon yesterday. Friday evening one of my best friends (bless her heart, she is the greatest) and I went down to pick up my packet and were only met with a slight awkward moment of going to an old woman's house to pick up my packet. (Hey, It wasn't my fault, they put the wrong address on the website. Luckily, she was nice.) The next morning at 6 am I boarded a school bus with runners of all ages merrily chatting about races, times, shoes, ipods, gatorade, gu, lost toenails, chaffing, defeats, triumphs. You name it, any subject that can correspond to running was discussed. The bus driver happily told everyone as soon as she has dropped us off, she was going straight back to bed, and like I said runners are kind of crazy, because nobody really wished that they were her. We are all too excited to run. Up the canyon at the start some people had already begun to do practice runs (not me 13.1, and not a step more), some people had begun their. . . hmmm. . .stretches (to each his own), and everybody was in line for the port-a-potties. Once we began everyone surged towards the front, but after about 3 miles the pack spread out and I started picking out my targets. I'm not a super competitive person, but there is something exhilarating in passing people. At first it was the old woman, (Hey, I have been passed by way too many old people in running.) She was the first to go, then the mother and daughter duo. Next I had my sights on big red up ahead. She however, was not taken easily, I inched ahead and then just as I breathed a triumphant yes, she came back up from behind me, daring me to take her on. We ran neck to neck for a minute or two and then I surged ahead. Yes, victory was mine. Can't you see how much fun a race really is. I did this for most of the race.( Ok, I did this but was also happily distracted by the great children's book playing on my ipod.) Sadly, my newly picked running enemy, old blue, was not caught. Oh well, there is always the next race. My sights are now set on the Richmond, Virgina Marathon in November. It is suppose to be the world's friendliest marathon, and I happen to be a pretty friendly person, which makes it all seem pretty perfect. At least that is what I'll have to tell myself tommorrow morning when the familiar shrill sound attacks and those big red numbers start blinking.

Nature

I love being out in nature. I love hiking, backpacking, camping, and eating smores. However, there are just some things that make me a little wary about nature. It's the bugs, the nasty creatures, the big creatures, and even the cute little creatures (you never can tell when they are going to turn on you.) Today we had the opportunity to take about 120 sixth graders out to enjoy nature. They fished, played games, wrote using their different senses, and each group got to come with me on a fabulous nature walk. We discovered Gum Weed, Russian Olive trees, Alfalfa, Willow trees, Cattails and the list goes on and on. Things were going well, until I rounded the bend with my fourth and last group. My eagle sharp eyes noticed a few too many boys down by the creek crawling to get in the water. Needless to say I ran down to where the kids were. Luckily, there were some parents down there. Phew! Even more lucky, they were super responsible and were encouraging the children to get a snake out of the water. I of course yelled at the kids to get out of the water and get on the buses. One of the dads turned to me and asked why the kids couldn't bring the snake on the bus. As I was beginning my astonished reply, I turned to see a herd of 60 children, who a moment ago had been standing so quietly by the buses, now running quickly toward us. The dad turned to me and said, "Well they must have heard about the snake." I turned to the herd of children and began to wave my hands in the air yelling for them to turn around and go to the bus. Then I noticed that the kids weren't running toward the water, but they wre running toward me, and it wasn't that we're running to say hello to you look. Instead they were running at me with a fierce, warlike look in their eyes. They were definitely on a mission. I don't know where my eagle eyes were then, because it took me another moment (a very brief moment) to figure out that my life was in danger.I saw their water bottles, their water canteens, and their water chests. There was nowhere to go, but I still tried to run and then when the mob of little people had me surrounded I tried to protect myself. However, it was all over in about a minute. Needless to say I was absolutely and completely soaked. Which may have felt good, if I could have stayed out in the hot sun, however, the bus was leaving. Therefore, I got on the bus and with every step water poured out of my tennis shoes. Kids leaned toward the window as I walked by to keep from getting rained on. After the bus ride, I left my puddles on the bus and then swished down the sidewalk to my classroom where the air conditioning was on full blast. I don't know if I've ever been that cold before. I must say shaking for two hours while teaching is definitely a new experience. Needless to say, after today I have decided that while I still love being in nature, I need to add one more thing to my list of things to be wary about in nature and that is children.

The Reunion

You might assume that in my trip home to my high school reunion the story would be about the reunion, but actually nothing too weird happened. In fact, I had a fabulous time and enjoyed seeing everyone again. Of course there were a few awkward moments and a few weird moments, but all in all it was very fun. However, my trip home was much more terrifying. It has been 10 years since high school, and in those 10 years I have never, ever driven that devilish canyon called Salt River. Of course, I have ridden up and down that canyon hundreds of times, but to drive it? Obviously you have forgotten of my paralyzing fear of heights. (I know, I know many of you drive it every other weekend. Well, bless your souls, because you are amazing in my book.) I had been in the valley Thursday night with friends and my dad was coming to pick me up Friday morning. Unfortunately, his office staff was gone, so he had to get up at 4 a.m. to get me and be home by the late morning. Obviously, getting up at 4a.m. and driving straight for hours makes you a little sleepy. I have seen enough of those "Don't drive drowsy" commercials to know that perhaps I should drive. The slight problem was that paralyzing fear of heights. However, I bravely acted like it was no big deal and asked to drive. I took a deep breath, put the car in 2nd gear and off we went. However, as soon as I saw that empty cliff approaching I proceeded to have an anxiety attack.( Ok, I don't really know what an anxiety attack is, but if this wasn't one I don't know what is.) My leg began to uncontrollably shake, my hands were so sweaty I could barely grip the wheel, and the worst part was that I began to get dizzy and felt like I was going to pass out. I know, I know it's just the canyon, but unfortunately to my head and body the canyon was a big, monsterous killer. The fact that I couldn't stop my leg from shaking, grip the wheel, breathe, or stop my head from spinning may seem like bad things. However, coupled with the fact that we are curving down a monsterous cliff with a line of cars behind me and only a thin rail between me and death, kind of makes it a little bit worse. As I fought for control the radio played the climax of Jimmy Stewart and the Six Gun Shooter, this was the part where the guy was going to be gunned down. At that moment with perspiration falling from my face, I finally let it out. "Dad, I can't do this." It was like I had been hit with the gunner's bullet. As you might guess, my dad had already caught on to this fact and was fully awake. He coached me down and the moment I saw the rest area I pulled over and was done. By the time I got home, I was very grateful to be alive, and maybe that is why the reunion was so enjoyable. Once you have looked death in the eye, you aren't as worried about silly things like how everyone looks and what they are wearing. (Ok, I do admit, I still found out what people were wearing that night. There are just some things that stay with you no matter what.)

A New School Year

Wednesday marked the first day of a new school year for me. I must say that the time in between years seemed a little short. However, I knew I was truly at home when my desk was filled with flowers, kleenex and hand sanitizer and normal conversation was talk about the school's beef fingers and the new turkey gravy over potatoes. There are many perks to teaching that very few people are aware of. Let me share with you the best of them. First of all, I get to hear daily reports about pet goats named Bambi. I get to help name turtles and ducks things like Chocolate and Quacker. I also get the honor of holding the beloved pets of children to share with the class, as they squirm and I squirm. It's always nice to have someone who watches the same shows as me. There are no wierd looks when I mention the name Raven, American Idol, or the latest Disney movie. If fact I am seen as quite hip and with it. I also have no need to read movie reviews. I get the very latest, most accurate reports from my students. Phrases like, " I cried it was so good or sad." are often heard and even admitted by boys. Another perk is definitely the food, not the cafeteria's food, I think you can already see from the comments above that I no longer frenquent there. However, I get delicious morsels of food regularly. Homemade treats, fruit snacks, even sack lunches have been known to appear on my desk. A true blessing. Of course anyone who has seen kids now days knows that fashion has seeped into the elementary school. Fashion advice, the latest trends, I need look no further then the recess field. I also have no problems when it comes to decorating, because I have every kind of picture know to man. Many fabulous caricatures of myself, pictures of ducks, dogs, Bambi the goat. You name it, I've got it. Lastly, the best perk of all is the smiles. No need for expensive self improvement books and seminars, these kids remind me daily what is really important. I must admit that like any teacher I would love a raise, but as long as I get to keep my perks, I'll be just fine.

Yeah!

Today I just walked in to my friendly travel agent and plunked down a large, yet resonable, sum of money. That is right everyone I am finally going to China. After all of those teasers, and hope dashing moments I'm in. Yeah! Anyone else who wants the thrill of being at The Great Wall, Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square there is still room available. Just let me know. Imagine the fun we could all have together. If you need more persuasion just watch Mulan, those songs always get me going.

The Spider

Friday officially marked the last day of school for this year. Of course I cried, as I do every year. It always makes me sad to think about these kids leaving after all the fun experiences we have had. These fun experiences often have to do with me doing things I normally would not do. For example, last week I was calmly sitting at a student's desk, while the student was in front of the class. I soon noticed the girl next to me was staring at me. As with most teachers I'm use to that. We don't say 1,2,3 eyes on me for nothing. Anyway, I soon noticed that her stare wasn't a look of glowing admiration, but that wide eyed death is coming to you look. That is when the dreaded words came. She said in a slightly panicked voice. "Um, you have a spider on you." Now I must tell you that eversince I was a little kid I have hated spiders. It might stem back from those moments when I would see a nasty spider in my room and yell for someone to come kill it. Everytime in would pop my brother (the famed spider killer) He would always come in with his trusty rubber band gun. Everytime he would aim, shoot and. . . . . . . . miss. It would always stun the spider or scare him, and then that nasty spider would end up spiraling down onto my bed only to wriggle away, never to be found again. I spent many sleepless nights with awful spider shivers. You can see now what effect those words might have on me, mainly to propel me in the air shrieking like a banshee. However, I surprised myself with the rational thought of what would happen if I did that. The sight of 28 children in mass chaos came to mind, and so I did the impossible. I simply, and calmly flicked it off of me.
Unfortunately, I flicked it into another student's binder. Unfortunately, the girl next to me saw it and jumped up in the air screaming like a banshee. Unfortunately, the rest of the class heard one student jumping and screaming like a banshee, and so they leapt from their desks screaming like banshees. (It doesn't take much to set them off.) However, I kept my cool and asked for everyone to calm down. Then I opened the binder, found the ratty spider and immediately stepped on it (good and hard), then had it taken away to the trash can. Next, I signaled for the class to calm down and the students in front of the class to continue, as if nothing had happened. I think anyone who knows me would be surprised by my calmness. I guess when it comes down to it a teachers got to do what a teachers got to do. Those knowing there is more to the story might imagine my random and uncontrollable spasms of spider shivers throughout the day and you would be right. Ugh. . . where did that spider come from?

Conquering Fear

The National Guard came today with a rock wall for the sixth grade, it's part of a anti-drug program. Everyone in the class couldn't wait to see me have a go at it. Especially, since I have a huge fear of heights. Doing my best to act calm I began my ascent, however, soon my leg was shaking so hard it kind of stopped my climb. I also made the mistake of looking down. Once I looked down I was a goner. I screamed and tried to climb down. The Army guys kept yelling at me to let go, scary, scary. Once I got down and finished shaking, my students pointed out how close I had gotten. Everyone had climbed all the way up. My determination kicked in and I began again. This time without thinking and without looking down. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined it, but I made it to the top. Whew! Then I looked down, slight mistake. Once again I tried climbing down, the army man started yelling at me, so I shut my eyes, pushed off and screamed. I came down all in one piece, although the army man said he had never heard a scream that loud before. One small step for the girl afraid of heights. ( I know this picture doesn't show me at the top, but believe me I really did get up there. Why no picture? The school's camera battery died. It is true. Those things happen to me.)

Texas vs China

Texas or China it was a tough one for vacation this summer. In the end Texas won. What with the exotic animals, Galvesten Beach, Shipley Doughnuts and some of my favorite people in the world how did China ever stand a chance.

Rational Thinking

I've decided I need someone else with me when I travel. For example, I was flying to Texas to visit a friend. My flight left at 6:30am, then I would change planes in Vegas at 6:55am, due to the time change. Needless to say I was very tired and fell right asleep nestled in between two nontalkers. ( You may know that when I sleep, I sleep. Loud noise doesn't bother me at all. In fact I think I sleep better, because I know other people are awake and I feel safer.) However, my sleep was disrupted by a jolt and I immediately woke up. I'm also not the most coherent person when I wake up, and so as I looked at my watch which read 7:45 I gasped in horror, thinking I had slept through the landing and was continuing on to Tucson. The man next to me had his finger on the flight attendant button, so I tried to calm down. After about five minutes of stress, I realized that the time had changed. Ha, ha. I had been pretty worried. However, the story does not end there. Flying back I arrived at the airport a little late. I unfortunately, was not prepared for the huge lines. Needless to say when I finally got to the sky cab agent I had only 10 minutes until my flight left. The man looked at me, told me to run, and wished me good luck. Needless to say I sprinted my best in flip flops (bad, very bad) cut through people in the security line and hightailed it to my gate, only to find a sign to go to the next gate. I did huffing, gave her my license and asked if I had made my flight. I love airline people. She just kept typing away at her computer, so I asked again. "Um, did I make the flight?" Type, type, type. Finally, she handed me my boarding pass and said, "Go, girl, go." I needed no more encouragement and I ran through the gate. I must say I was just grateful to be on my flight, I didn't mind that my luggage would be late. I sat down next to, once again the nontalkers, and this time read. After a couple of hours I heard the words, "We are now beginning our descent into Denver." Once again the gasp. No rational thinking, Everything was such a blur, I never saw my boarding pass, the gate sign. I knew that for sure I had gotten on the wrong flight. Once again the person next to me was ready to call the flight attendant and I needed about 5 minutes to rationally think that we must be stopping in Denver and then going on. I wasn't at peace until we taxied up and they announced it. Finally, after a delay I did get home to Salt Lake. I wish I could say the same for my luggage. It got on the next flight and then got lost somewhere. Not to worry it arrived mysteriously later that night. However, I do think I need a friend with me when I fly. Someone who will help me think rationally and not just reach for the flight attendant button.

A Normal Day for Me

Today was a perfect example of the weird, yet normal. I went to mail a package to my mom. I ran in to get an address label, I came out and found my keys underneath my package, securely locked in my car. I chose to look on the bright side of things, at least I always lock my doors. I walked next door to use the phone.(Mine was securely locked in my car.) Soon a locksmith was on his way. I was tired and went to sit on the curb next to my car. A nice old grandfatherly guy pulled up and was soon trying to help me by giving me all kinds of advice, counsel, and wisdom. I thought to myself how nice old people are looking out for young kids in need. That's when it happened. He asked me if I was married and when I answered no, he asked me out on a date. I thought he was joking and started to laugh, but I soon stopped when he didn't laugh. I awkwardly said I didn't think so and reminded him that the locksmith should be here any minute. He soon left. Awkward, awkward, awkward. He had to be at least in his seventies. I was telling a friend this story and she said. "This is kind of normal for you, every weird guy out there asks you out." If I would have started this blog earlier you might agree.

The Rest of the Story

This blog is for all of my friends and family who always want to know the rest of the story. Because if you know me, you know that there is always more to the story. I have to admit that I started this blog a couple of weeks ago and have never posted any of these entries. I'm a little hesitant about blogging, but here goes nothing.