Friday Photo

Who says studying has to be done in the library!


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Ready, Set, GO!!!

 Yeah, I know, one year ago I was swearing up and down that I would NEVER do this again!  But then my competitive side took over and convinced me that I needed to run the Utah Valley Half Marathon again.  Why? ... try and do a little better on my time and have a race that I didn't want to die doing.  I signed up WAY early.  (I need the motivation of a race to make me train).  I will admit that I have been very glad to have the excuse of this race to go running.  It has been a bit of a stressful (to say the least) couple of months.  I actually got to where I liked running and was glad to have the stress relief it provided.

 Em, Gavin and Josh all signed up too.  It was so nice to have Josh to train with.  I love running at night but don't often do it (not very wise for a girl to run alone at night). It's much more fun to have people at the starting line ... and finish line!

It was a beautiful day for a race! Pete met me at mile 10 and ran the last 3 with me.  I am pretty sure I would have laid down and still be in the gutter on University Ave if he would not have been there prodding me along.  I definitely did better because he was running with me, he was a great motivator!  I felt much better than I did last year.  I shaved 5 minutes off my time.  So all and all I had a successful race. 

I won't swear off doing another one ... but I am not totally committing either.

Friday Photo

Kennecott copper mine.


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Change Is Hard

After 10 years of teaching I am saying goodbye.  1 year elementary, 9 years high school.  I am an art teacher -- that is who I have been!  I love my job! I love my school!  I love my classroom!  I love my people!  I have had the privilege of working at the greatest school.

In October my sabbatical was approved.  In February I was accepted into the grad program at BYU, In April I was awarded the "golden child." Word started to get out to the students in the spring.

This came as no surprise.  I had lots of time to prep myself.  It didn't make it any easier.  I knew packing my classroom and saying goodbye was going to be the  hardest change of all.   

My classroom has been like my own little studio.  

I am pretty sure I have had a dream job!

 I loved bringing my friends and family to my classroom to make stuff.  

It became a little tradition with my nieces and nephews.  

 It turns out that Kimi D. is a natural!  

"You really want to give all this up?" she asked me.

No, yes, I think so, I don't know!

 I have spent more hours of my life the last 9 years in this classroom than at home. 

I always loved the way my classroom felt.  I hope that my students did too. I am having a hard time imagining not being in my classroom every day. 

How lucky I am to have spent 10 years being a teacher at an amazing school.  I have made lifelong friends who have influenced me for good.  I am so grateful for that.  I hope that the mark that I have left on my school, students, and coworkers is a positive one. 

Change is good ... right?

Friday Photo

Photo curtesy of Dave Crowther ... Because I made him get out of the car and take it.


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Gilgal Garden

New Places Adventure List 2012

Gilgal Garden in SLC.  

Um ... how did I not know this place existed?

It is sooo weird that you can't help but like ... no love it! 

Any one coming to visit me can count on a trip to Gilgal!

Self-portrait of the artist.  So fantastic. 

Ch ch ch changes ... keep on coming!

#3 -- travel hiatus

It is not a secret that I LOVE to travel.  Planning a trip, looking forward to a trip is what keeps ya going. Jennie D. will refer to an upcoming trip as "a reason to live".  It is so true sometimes!  I have been so lucky to have great people to travel with.  In the fall when returning to school I am often asked what amazing trip or great adventure I had that summer.  Well, not this year. I will be in school all summer.  There will be no big trips this year.  It won't be easy!

So .. knowing this was coming I knew I had to take FULL advantage of spring break!  I invited myself to my sister's for a week in sunny Arizona!  

 Em planned a full schedule of adventures and activities.  We visited Taliesin West, a Frank Lloyd Wright home and school. 

 I would put it on your must see when in the Scottsdale area (everyone wants to spend a day learning more about FLW ...right?)

 My pretty sister.

 Em and I went to the Mesa LDS temple.  My dad's parents were sealed in this temple.  Did you know it doesn't have a Moroni!

 The BEST part of the week ... loving these babies!  We went out for fro yo, had a picnic, went to a movie and out to dinner!  Of course we did a couple crafts.(that is just a given ... right!)  Being an aunt is a pretty fun job.

 It was a great week.  Thanks to my sister and her family for indulging me for a week.

 The very next weekend my friend Melissa got married in Sacramento.

  . It was a beautiful wedding.  Melissa was stunning.  Loved loved loved her dress!

  They had a photo booth at the reception.  Endless fun!  I am just sure she will treasure these pictures. 

Stacy K, Dave C. and Kara T. planned some fun while there. We spent one day in San Francisco.  I sure do love that city! 

 

 Kara has her very own cupcake shop!  Lucky!

 Oh the food in San Francisco!  Clam chowder and calamari. 

 These girls are F.U.N!  Just look how much fun we have together. 

Ok ... that is it!  This will have to tie me over for a while.  Wish me luck.