Yea, I'm a [teacher] again!

If you get that reference, let me know. I received my "unofficial" scores for the ORELA test--the scary test I had to take a while ago. I passed with a 288 and 287 out of 300 on each section. I had to get at least a 240. I'm very grateful for everyone's help and support. I really felt the Lord's support, too. It was a good practice in putting my trust in the Lord and not worrying about the outcome.

No Dude

Last time I was with my sister and her family, I attempted to teach my niece to say "dude." My sister was not happy about it at all. (Why not? It was so cute.) My niece picked up on the fact that mommy didn't like the word and my dad captured it on video. Enjoy!

Blessings Behind the Iron Curtain

Okay, so maybe the allusion to the dividing line between communism and the free world is a little dramatic, but the general idea is still accurate. I've been snowed in. And not just the "oh dear there's a 1/2 inch of snow in Oregon. We'd better shut everything down and call in the National Guard" snowed in. We got more than 8 inches of snow yesterday. On top of that (literally) we got freezing rain last night and there was an almost 1/2 inch crust of ice on the snow. I know; I walked in it. It's been alternating between snowing and raining all day. And all day I watched the Southwest web site to see what would happen to my flight.

Of course I didn't get the official word that my flight was canceled until I was standing at the Max (light rail) station (Thanks Jen! You're a life saver!). Fortunately, I had just missed a train because the ticket station on the East bound side of the tracks wasn't working. I called the people who had just dropped me off since I knew they would still be out and I made it home only a little wet and cold.

I called the airline to find out what my options were, and well, provided we don't get another freak storm, I arrive in California at 8:00 pm Christmas day. I could hang out at the airport for the next three days trying to get on a flight as a stand-by passenger, but that just didn't feel right.

So here I am, back in my little house with my two little cats. Oddly enough I feel very peaceful. I called a sister I visit teacher earlier because I knew she had an extra set of chains. (I was hoping to not have to be cooped up for the next few days, but her daughter is using them.) When I told her my flight was canceled, she very practically said, "well it will be for the best, you'll see." And you know, I knew she was right. I don't know why, but I know she's right. It could be that I just need to be here so that the right things will happen. It could be that the Lord is sending comfort knowing that without it, the next few days would be very difficult. Whatever the reason, I am very very grateful.

My ward has been very helpful. As I've called around to making various arrangements (chains--already mentioned--, a sewing machine so I can work on Anna's present, etc.) I've already had two people offer to take me where ever I needed to go tomorrow. They've even asked if I have enough to eat (of course I do, can you imagine me with nothing in the cupboards, fridge, or freezer? Hello food storage!). I called my sister's mother-in-law and I will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with them. They will take me to the airport when they go to pick up their daughter and son-in-law. It works out perfectly. There's a lot to be said for trusting in the Lord. Come what may, and if I don't love what's happening, I'll at least love and trust the Lord and that's what makes the difference.

Joy of Grading

I freely admit that grading is not my favorite thing to do. I'm always doing things to make it either more interesting or at lest seem like it's not taking too long. Today my strategy was "look for good quotes to put on my blog." I was part way through the first class of essays when I couldn't help but almost die laughing. Students say the most interesting things sometimes. After that essay, I kept an eye out for more quotes.

As a point of reference, the students are persuading someone to watch less T.V. The students, of course, are not named, and the spelling is their own.

Student A: The only person that comes to my mind that watches six hours of T.V. is my friend but than it is not his fault it is the movie's fault the godfather siereis is abou 6-7 hours long. I think if you watch six hours of t.v. you have no lif. Yet that is only my opinion (Pleas don't get mad).

Student B: Their is alot more in Life than T.v Like Camping, exploring, reading But most of all, Family. Sometimes you get so into T.v That you Forget about your Family and other important things.

Student C: My first opinion is to convince them to watch less TV. TV can roten your eyes if you watch it to much.

And my favorite:

Student D: If you love tv so much why don't you just go out side and act like your in a movie. Act out of pretend your a spy of something like that have a picnic out side and watch the cloud's. Look at the beutifule nature that was atended for us in the First it's not like god made a tv and said watch this six houers a day and become fat and stupid like a couch potato now did he.

So there you have it--some gentle reminders about why we shouldn't watch too much T.V. Now I just need to help them re-read what they've written so they can catch some of those mistakes.

What's better than a snow day?

How about a snow week! So I haven't gone to school once this week. Okay, that's not entirely true. I swung by quickly on Tuesday to pick up some papers that needed to be graded. The roads were not too icy so I made the journey. I was glad I did.

So what does a snowed/iced in teacher do with a snow week? Well let's see . . .

Monday: Slept in a bit. Got up when my sister called. Exercised, took a nap, finished grading a stack of persuasive essay first drafts. Found out FHE was canceled, so called my sister to see if I could join her family for FHE by web cam. Prepared a lesson on the birth of Christ. Had FHE. Held copies of December Ensigns up to the web cam for my niece to see. Ate gingersnaps for refreshments while my sister and her family had angel thumbprint cookies. "Helped" put Anna to bed by listening to a story, singing, and saying her evening prayer. Afterwords, I did some cleaning and then watched a movie and quilted.

Tuesday: Had a family from my ward over for lunch. They have taken care of my cats before and will be taking care of them over Christmas. Ran errands after lunch--including picking up papers from school. Mailed my teaching license application, retirement information, and insurance information. After dinner, I watched another movie while quilting. I'm getting close to being done with this part of the quilting.

Wednesday: Exercised, and figured out if I would be able to get my hair cut. It snowed all day, so I wasn't about to drive, but I knew that the bus went right past the shop in Forest Grove and would pick me up only about a 1/2 mile from my house. So I spent from about 11:15 to 3:30 traveling and getting my hair cut and colored. It made a nice change from sitting at home. I finished all the grading, but the essays I'd picked up Tue. I dinked around on the computer for a while and finished the night watching Mr. Krueger's Christmas while quilting. I'm about 12 inches of sewing away from rolling it for (hopefully) the last time.

Thursday: Slept in again. Made sourdough waffles for brunch. Graded three classes of essays. The cats thought I should spend the time with them and even went so far as to try to keep me from my work. Here they are sitting on some of the essays. You can only just see the paper Sambo is sitting on.
Mixed up the dough for some sourdough bread. Graded the last two classes' essays. Formed the bread into loaves and went Christmas shopping. I'm basically done, but I had an inspiration for one more gift and since I had time . . . Well, I forgot about the bread and so made a final stop to get some new tennis shoes. My only good pair are mud covered from playing ultimate frisbee. When I got home, the bread was definitely ready to be baked. I had dinner, pre-shrunk some fabric for a project, and waited and waited and waited to find out if we would have school tomorrow. I finally decided that if I did have to go in, the only productive thing I could do with the kids was to review their grades with them. So I put all the grades in the computer. Half way through that, I got the voice mail--no school. I'll go to bed as soon as this is posted.

Snow Update

This picture was taken about 3:30. The snow has mostly stopped, but there are still a few flurries. What everything will be like in the morning remains to be seen.

Let it Snow?!

I've been looking forward to Sunday all week. I love going to church and associating with the saints. At the very least it gives me something to do, and at it's best, my knowledge and testimony of the gospel increases.

Right as I was about to leave, I happened to check my email, which I rarely do on Sunday morning, and there was a message saying that church was canceled! Why? Well the picture and video should say it all.

I was really hoping to be able to stay home from school on Monday. Too bad the snow couldn't have waited. I'd much rather go to church than to school. Oh well, there's still hope I guess. Maybe there will be too much ice on the road to make it to school safely in the morning. The snow is beautiful. It's coming down if pretty big flakes right now.

Blessings of Education

I took my "scary" test today. I feel good about it and am hopeful that I will pass.

While I was taking the test, the thought came to me that I am very blessed to be educated. I don't mean that as compared to others, but just that I have the capacity to learn (and remember) things about this world. There is so much we know from how flowers reproduce, to the movement of the plates, to being able to determine how much fencing one might need to enclose 70 square feet. I realized once again that I love learning and knowing things. It really brings a lot of joy.

If only I could help my students see that way, I'd have it made. I am just grateful for a Heavenly Father who created a beautiful earth and then let us learn things about it.

Thank Goodness for Mothers

I know that I don't fully appreciate everything my mother has done for me. I may not know until I become a mother myself or when I reach the other side, which ever comes first. Nevertheless, I am thankful for the fact that my mother will do anything in her power to help me.

I have a scary (for me) test to take on Saturday. I have to pass it to keep my teaching license, and it covers math, science, social sciences, art, heath, and language arts. (Remember, I am a Language Arts teacher who hasn't taken math since high school and science since her first year at BYU.) I was almost at my wits' end last night when I called my mother. She then proceeded to spend about two hours on Skype helping me understand the practice test questions I wasn't sure about. Not only did I relearn and understand things better, but I felt the comfort of my mother's love which gave me the strength to continue on.

I realize that I am probably worrying about this test way too much, but I am grateful for a mother who still gives everything she has to her daughter.

Chick Mechanics

So about three or four years ago, my two roommates, Jen and Jackie, and myself changed the alternator in Jackie's car. We did an excellent job if I say so myself. Except for getting the wrench stuck. . . . well anyway.

After getting a taste of mechanical independence, I decided to expand my repertoire. This week my parents came up for Thanksgiving and I asked my dad to help me change the serpentine belt and show me how to change my own oil. I had already done the research on how to change the belt and had all the parts for both projects. I would have taken a picture, but I forgot, so you will have to go on faith.

I don't expect to have to change the serpentine belt again, but I know how to do it. As far as the oil, I am looking forward to not having to pay twenty to thirty dollars each time. It will take some getting used to, especially the next time when I am on my own, but it will get easier.

Some people find it simpler to have someone else do it, but I like being independent and learning how to do things for myself. I find great satisfaction in finishing a project even if it's a slightly messy one like changing the oil.

Take Life Seriously?

I've always had the nagging feeling that I take life too seriously. Being able to reach out to others with an easy smile and laugh is such a simple thing, yet has such profound affects. It lightens life's load for yourself and everyone around you. Those that are blessed with that sublime talent of optimism and seeing beyond their own reality are so wonderful to be around. I want to be more like that, but I get swallowed up in my own little world so easily.

I think my issue is that I see life too narrowly, as something to accomplish--an end--and not a journey with a thousand vistas to be enjoyed. I feel I miss much of the bigger picture that makes life full. Consider this analogy: I play ultimate frisbee with an LDS group on Saturdays. I enjoy it very much, but all I really understand of the game is that you have to get the frisbee to your end of the field despite the obstacles (the other team). I can run, throw, and catch with moderate competence, but strategy is almost lost on me. As a result, I sometimes feel more of a hindrance than a help to those with more sports savvy. I wonder if I as well as others would enjoy the game more if I got the strategy.

So, what's the strategy to not taking life so seriously? Anybody want to weigh in? (Of course the irony is that this whole topic is far too serious, but I needed to air this idea and clear my brain.)

Lift Where You Stand

I have been attending the Young Single Adult FHE and other activities for about a year. I've enjoyed getting to know some of the other single's in the area and have done a lot of fun things with them. Recently, however, I've felt very agitated when I go to these activities. It's not that anyone has made me feel unwelcome, nor is it that I don't find things and people I like. Overall, I just feel unsettled. Finally, I realized I had to make a decision: would I follow what I was being prompted to do or would I persist in what I thought I wanted? I decided to not go to the YSA activities any more.

It was not an easy decision, but President Uchtdorf's Priesthood session talk title "Lift Where You Stand" helped me feel good about it. (http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-947-18,00.html) I stand in the Hillsboro Ward of the Hillsboro Stake. I stand among other bright and uplifting single adults. I stand with those who organize "Mid-Single" (30 to 45 yrs) in the area. I stand as a teacher. I stand as a music director, an activities committee member, and a building scheduler. I stand as a witness that God loves his children and leads and guides them if they will listen.

I don't know what this relatively small decision will bring, but I know it will be the Lord's will, and that's what counts.

Conference + Prayer = Well Behaved 7th Graders

I've been rereading and listening to Elder Bednar's last two general conference talks on prayer. Everything he says really helped me understand prayer a little better, but two thoughts struck me in particular. In his first talk on prayer he explains the importance of phrasing our requests to reflect our intent to act and not just to ask. From his second talk, the idea that our morning prayers can be times of commitment and our evening prayers a time of reflection on those commitments helped me rethink the way I pray.

Today, I saw in a simple way those two ideas combine to make a difference in my life. I've been praying that I will be guided in my choices and actions especially as it relates to my students (intent to act) knowing that at the end of the day I would report. As I started my third period, my first regular Language Arts class, I knew it could be a struggle to help the students stay on task since I was giving them a "catch-up" day. The thought came to me to ask them what should happen if a student chooses not to respect the need for quite as people work. They came up with all sorts of ideas (including expulsion from school), but out of the discussion, I formulated a three step plan: first instance of talking brought a warning, second instance brought a change of seat, and a third instance meant a 30 minute lunch visit with me and a chat with parents. It worked beautifully. It was clear and simple, and I never had to go beyond the second step nor move more than a handful of students total (some of them moved themselves).

I am grateful for Apostles and Prophets who teach correct principles from the Lord.

Ask in Faith and Pray Always by Elder David A. Bednar
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-851-31,00.html
http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,49-1-947-14,00.html

Tomatoes

A couple of weeks ago I decided to dig up my tomatoes and be done for the season. A sister in my ward let me use a small portion of her garden in exchange for physical labor, which I enjoyed. I planted two Roma tomato plants which grew to a marvolous Oregon size with lots of green tomatoes. The season, however, was somewhat cold and they didn't ripen very quickly. I was sad that I didn't get as many tomatoes as I wanted.

Another sister from my ward suggested pulling up the plants and hanging them upside down in the garage to allow the remaining green tomatoes to ripen. It sounded good to me. The issue came in that I had to transport them from the garden, which was about a 10 minute walk away, to my house. I could have driven, but out of principle, I didn't. It shouldn't be too hard to carry them home. They were just a couple of tomato plants.

Well, as I got them out of the ground, I realized they were bigger and heavier than I expected. So, I bundled up the bamboo sticks which held the plants up while they grew and stuck the tomato plants on the end and carried them home on my shoulder rather like a traveler who has tied all her belongings in the knapsack at the end of a stick.

The end result was a cascade of plants with green tomatoes down my back. I like to think that anyone who saw me got a laugh out of it and their day went better afterward. Here are pictures of them hanging in my garage. Notice that they have ripened nicely.

My Very First Post

I spent quite a lot of time thinking about the name for this blog. It had to be just right. I didn't want to limit what I could put on the blog, nor make it so broad that it meant nothing. At intervals I wondered if the name even mattered. Who was really going to care?

Finally I asked my self what would be the purpose for by blog. Did I want to just write about things in my life or did I want to be a little more purposeful? Everyone has their own reasons for starting a blog, but for me I wanted to accomplish something with it or at least I wanted to try. I actually kept thinking about starting this during the last couple of weeks of the election fervor, but I didn't want this to be a political venue.

What I really wanted was a place I could state my ideas about things in my life, things in my community, and things in the nation and world. With so many intense issues abounding, I wanted to have a voice. This is my voice. It is a small voice, and very simple, but if I keep at it, maybe it will make a difference in someone's life. Whether it be making someone laugh or providing correct information about an issue, as long as it brings truth and joy into people's lives, I'm satisfied.

I certainly welcome any comments from anyone with this same purpose.