Gratitude is in the air...and it smells a lot like pumpkin pie!

For the past few days (*cough cough* I mean....weeks....), I've been listening to Christmas music and enjoying the build up to the holiday season. But, it can't be truly official until I count my many blessings. 
To start things off, I want to say how thankful I am that my ipod ran out of battery 4 minutes into my three-mile workout. This seemingly annoying inconvenience gave me the chance to ponder on all that I have, or rather who I have in my life. I'm indeed grateful for the temporal possessions I have that allow me to live comfortably, but very rarely do I focus my gratitude on the people that helped me in my life and who continue to help me each step of the way. As hard as it is sometimes to be away from the majority of my family, it does help me appreciate each one of them and the blessing they are in my life. And thus, the inspiration for this annual gratitude blog post!

1. I am grateful for my older brother Rob. Even though many years separate us, I've always respected Rob and his example of a righteous Priesthood holder and family patriarch. He truly is an amazing man that never ceases to impress me! I'm grateful for the examples he set for me as my older brother--he calls home every Sunday to check in with my parents and has been doing so since he moved out from their home over 15 years ago. While we may be miles apart, he always remembers my birthday and takes time to make me feel loved. I am especially grateful for his decision to marry Juliann! She set an awfully high precedent for the brothers-in-law that came into our family after her. Never once have I looked at her as anything but a sister. She may not even realize the example she has been to me, but I am grateful for how she learns to embrace the different situations in her life and make the best of them.

2. I am grateful for Karrie. I am grateful for her examples of faith and diligence. She has been and continues to be an amazing example of what it means to be a "temple-goer." I was so excited to receive my endowments because of the love she radiated for the temple and the Lord. And this year, I am also grateful for my soon-to-be brother-in-law David! I am grateful for the perma-smile he has put on Karrie's face that you not only see, but hear in her voice. Thank you David for making my sister feel like the special woman she is!

3. How grateful I am for LeeAnn!!! She has been a great example to me of a loving mother. Even while we were growing up, I always looked to LeeAnn as another mother because she is so caring. I'm grateful for her examples of how to have a happy marriage and family. She always impresses me with all the activities she does to help her kids be happy and healthy and to help herself be happy and healthy. I'm grateful for a brother-in-law who served a mission in South America; John helped me make it through the rough patches on my mission. I distinctly remember calling home for Christmas 2 years ago, most of the family was sick, but John was there on speaker phone with Mom and Dad giving me advice and encouragement. I'm grateful for someone in my family who speaks Spanish and with whom I can share Argentine memories.

4. This year in particular, I am grateful for my sister Bonnie. She has always been an amazing example to me of determination and hard work. That example has only intensified over the past few months that I've been living near by her and her family. I'm grateful that she is a good communicator -- she has taught me a lot. I'm grateful that she helps me think through whatever I have going on in my life so I'm not as overwhelmed and stressed. I'm grateful for Ben, his generous and loving nature. He is a wonderful example and source of motivation to follow your dreams and do what makes you happy. They are a powerful couple!

5. I am especially grateful to have a missionary brother this year....for just a few more weeks. I am grateful for his example of faithful, selfless service. He has been a district leader and trainer for most of his mission, which is incredible to me! I've always been impressed by Andrew and his desire to choose the right, to be happy, and to make sure that others are happy as well. I'm grateful that I've been able to see how he's grown over the past three years since I last saw him because it reminds me how much I grew on my mission. I'm grateful for his example of love towards all people.

6. Saying that I'm grateful for my parents seems insufficient, but until I figure out a better way to express my appreciation to them in the English language, "grateful" will have to do. I'm grateful that I have parents who literally drop everything to talk to me, taking sincere interest in my life and my well-being even when their lists of things to do could rival those of the President. I often think of how they sacrificed every Monday morning for 18 months in order to sit by the computer and wait for my email from the mission field so I had someone to talk to. I'm grateful for my dad who has taught me to love the Gospel like a convert. I'm also grateful for his love of books and history, from whom, no doubt, I have developed the same fascination. I'm grateful that we have similar ways of looking at life, so we can help each other. I'm grateful for a mother who puts other people before herself, who has taught me and many others how to establish a loving home. I'm grateful that she and dad watch over me and make sure that I have what I need in order to be happy and successful in all that I do.

I could go on....and on....because my family is incredible! I'm so grateful that I am a part of such an AMAZING family!

My Special Day...

Well, kind of. I will be sharing my birthday with nearly 1 million other americans because October 5th is apparently the most common birthday in the U.S. Check it out!

Chaos!

So, today at school, I unleashed chaos! Now, it was intentional....and yes, I must be crazy!
We are talking about the 5 key traits of civilizations (geography, social structure, political structure, economy, technology, and religion) in preparation for their study of Mesopotamia. The lesson today focused on political structures with an emphasis on the importance of leadership--why we allow people to have power over us and the benefits of said leadership.
My mentor teacher and I wanted to think of some activity that would drive home the idea that leaders are absolutely necessary in any society. Now for the chaotic part: I suggested that we do a simulation in which students had to put a series of numbers in order from least to greatest. Each student was given a number (1-31) and one rule--only he/she could move her number. PERIOD. No other directions. No rules. Nothing.
Then we set them loose at the Smartboard. The screen covered in randomly-ordered numbers was quickly swarmed with 31 seventh grade students all pushing their way to the board. There was yelling; there was quite a bit of screaming; there were multiple students each class period that stepped away, rolling their eyes and complaining about their crazy peers; and there was an extreme amount of chaos.

IT WAS AWESOME! (my mentor teacher and I just stood in the back chuckling to ourselves. He even took a few pictures to document the chaos that occurred.)

On average, it took 4 minutes to put 31 numbers in order from least to greatest. We then had a very interesting conversation about why it was so hard to accomplish such an easy task and what would have made it easier and more efficient. After appointing a leader and letting the class establish some sort of organization and plan, we let them loose again. This time, with very different results--they were surprisingly respectful of their leader, they spoke quietly (or not at all), and they were much less chaotic! We then tied it all in to the beginnings of civilizations and the important role leaders fill for the successful establishment and functionality of a society.

Teachers--1

Students--0

Tapping into the natural tendencies of 31 seventh-graders enclosed in a classroom--

PRICELESS

3 Weeks In...

This is where I teach:

 These are the remains of Fort Reno, a Civil War fort and the highest point in DC. It is the site on which Alice Deal Middle School is located:

This is what I see during my commute every morning:

This was our first DC adventure--a trip to Georgetown Cupcakes 

(inspiration of TLC's DC Cupcakes TV show):

This is a picture of the falcon we saw at the National Zoo:

 This is the view out of my apartment (the Pentagon is the low-laying building on the horizon):

 This is the all of us student teachers!:

Last weekend, we went to Mount Vernon and enjoyed the colonial festival that was happening there. 

Today, we spent a couple of hours walking through the National Museum of American History. We saw a baseball signed by Babe Ruth, Benjamin Franklin's walking stick, the lunch counter from the Greensboro Sit-In campaign, a piece of the Twin Towers, and campaign ribbons for President Lincoln. 

The real highlight of the day happened while riding the metro back to our apartment after watching the RS broadcast at the stake center. When we got on the metro, my roommate Sarah and I noticed that there was a guy who appeared to have fallen asleep on the ride. Since we were getting on at the end of the metro line as it turned around to head back into the city, we thought we should wake him up. Before we got to him, someone else woke him up. Apparently he had completely missed his stop, but I reassured him that the metro would head back to that stop shortly if he just stayed on the train. So, he came over and sat down next to us and just started chatted. He asked us where we had come from (seeing as we were dressed up on a Saturday night). I told him that we had been at a church activity, to which he asked if it was a Bible study group or something similar. I happily respond that we were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we had just left a broadcast to all the women of the church worldwide. He then went on the compliment Mormons in general as people who truly radiate light and an inner confidence and assurance. Over the next 15 minutes or so before he got back to his stop, we chatted about how we know this is the true church, the value of the Book of Mormon, and mormon.org. I assured him that even though we didn't know each other, that God has a plan for him and that we didn't meet by chance. He thanked us for planting a seed in his life so he could go on and investigate further for himself. As he stood up to get off at his stop, he dug through his pockets and handed us his business card before the train sped off. 

So cool. 

Yes, I know....I'm blogging again! *GASP* It was an unintentional hiatus from the blogging world, but I'm back! I'm thinking that I need to revamp my blog, so things might be changing in the next few months as I move to DC and get settled into my life as a student teacher! Eek!

Things that I'm looking forward to in DC:

10. Free museums...whenever I want!!!
9. Being in the capitol during the presidental elections
8. Thanksgiving! Not only is it my favorite holiday, I'll be spending it where the holiday originated!
7. New running trails
6. DC temple trips
5. Eating yummy food....DC cupcakes here I come :)
4. Wearing my new, cute "DC winter" clothes
3. New friends to be made
2. Playing with my family
1. A new adventure everyday!

Come visit and we'll play!

Leaking Creative Juices....beware!

I think I've hit a blogging road block; between school, trying to have some semblance of a social life, and keeping my small room clean, the blogging juices just aren't flowing like the used to. So, I'm gonna make my own juice!

My Favorite (Provo-life) Things:

1. Seeing all the cool engagement/wedding rings
2. Cheap movies at the dollar theater
3. Cafe Rio, In-N-Out, Einstein Bagel, Sammie's, Diego's...yum!
4. Running into friends on campus that I haven't seen in years
5. Ward activities that ALWAYS include free food!
6. Making a new friend everyday
7. Seeing guys wearing suits on campus not necessarily for their business class, but because they work at the MTC
8. Hearing multiple languages while walking between buildings

Living in Provo is truly a special experience. As excited as I am to move on and graduate in the upcoming months, I will be sad to leave the Provo snowglobe.

Tight Rope Walking

Back in school, the balance act has begun once again.