Out with the old in the new

This afternoon I drove my beloved blue beetle, peanut butter, for the last time. She did not die, it was just time for us both to part. By part I mean, I bought a new car, no name yet, and she became Ken Garff Honda of Orem's. It all started on Friday night on the way to the airport to pick-up my mom for a fun mother daughter weekend. Just on the other side of the point of the mountain she started to overheat. I prayed I would make safely to where I needed to go. I did. After picking my mom up I drove to the closest gas station where we determined it would be best if we put water in the car. We started driving away from the gas station and the light came back on. I decide it would best not to get back on the freeway. Ultimately, the car was towed back to Orem at about 1 am. The much later Saturday morning I was able to get a rental because Ken Garff VW just didn't have space to look at it. We went to breakfast with my cousin Lauren. Then, had manicures and pedicures at Acaydia. While there we decide to research cars. I decide maybe we should look at a honda Fit. US News and World Report ranked it #1 for small affordable car. At about 3:45 we arrived at Ken Garff Honda of Orem. 3:50 we test drove the only Fit they had. At about 6:00 we finished with financing and the car was mine. Normally, I would have put much more thought in to purchasing this car a pro and con list would have been made or something. But I have realized this was not an impulsive decision but a calculated snap decision. When it's right you just know so you go with it.
I would to make a very huge statement that I believe that buying this car was divine intervention. Here is way. If my step-dad, Rob, had not injured his back my parents would have been in France this weekend. I am sorry they had to miss their trip. If Mom was in France she would not have been here to help go through this process, for which I am most grateful and thankful for everyday. Thanks Mom, I love you. It was hard to imagine myself driving something else because I had so much fun driving peanut better. Farewell peanut, hello 2009 white honda fit. I will gladly accept name suggestions!

INJUSTICE in Utah

So today I received an email from PEA, my professional teaching association. Most of the time I skim and move on. This particular email informed me that another school district here in Utah refused to negotiate teaching contracts for the coming school year. Ogden school district gave their teachers an ultimatum, "sign your contract by July 20th or your job will be open for hire." I was shocked! A rally is planned for tomorrow, Thursday July 14th at 10 am. What is the perception of teachers coming to!! In many nations and cultures across the world teachers are revered and respected. . We are in this together, so we should act like it- parents, students, teachers, administrators, and communities! This about the working rights not just for teachers for every working member of society!

Spring Break Creations

I have always thought I need a dirty laundry bag when I go on vacation. I had some free time, a great selection of fabric-thanks mom, and a sewing machine.

Figure 8 Scarf- I found the FREE pattern on Anna Maria Horner's Blog. I love her patterns and this is her fabric too! I just love it because it is so springy. I altered the pattern a little bit. Let me know if you want the dets.

Bohemian Wrap Bracelet's- While at a beads shop (Fusion Beads) in Seattle I saw these bracelets. I thought to myself those are so cute, I'll bet I could make those. So with the marvelous help of the internet I found a tutorial. I altered the steps so they were easier and I also used different materials- frugality at work. I can't wait to make more!

I've decided!

So, the news I am about the report may be surprising to some. I have decide to attend graduate school. When or where this is going to happen- no details yet. Here is what I do know it will be school counseling or Physical Education. I will most likely stay in Utah and I still want to teach and possibly coach (that might be a high expectation of myself) while studying.

Springy Thoughts

The past couple of days here in Utah have almost convinced me Spring is here to stay. We'll see how long that lasts. I get my hopes up with a few days of temperatures in the 60's and 70's then my heart is broken once again by rain and possibly snow.
My thoughts of Spring stem from sunglasses, shorts and skirts, driving with the windows down and sweet tunes. My one wish would be when I return home to Seattle (yippee) a week from tomorrow I will bring the warm weather with me. I am certain my fam would not object. Weekend events: Saturday-first home tournament of the season for my water polo team- Go UCO!, General Conference which means crafts- wonder what we'll make this year, Sunday- hang with Mel, Kurtis and Tess and watch more General Conference addresses.
Good News! My team has two new players, one girl and one boy. Thank goodness we have been in desperate need of more girls since some of our players have over-committed themselves and/or choose not come to practice as often as they should. Thereby making it impossible for everyone to work together as a team in games. So, for the time being life is going well.

First Post of 2011

Okay so I have a good reasons for not writing. Here they are. I have 2 student teachers, coaching, and the flu. By coaching I mean practice, games, and weekend tournaments. My head coach pointed out to me that I am a "professional" coach because I teach PE. I had never thought of my role in that way. I guess I am. In years past I am not sure I have been able to have the coach mentality because I was so focused on teaching. I have learned it is all about the relationships and the feedback I provide for students.
I would be lying if said that coaching water polo was a blast every minute. Most the time it is fun and for the most part rewarding. It is harder than I anticipated. Waking up early, getting players to come to practice has been difficult. If they don't come how can they expect to work together as a team. And if they don't play as a team in practice how can they play as a time in games. I am really proud of the money that we raised with our orange fund raiser. We have enough to get us to all the tournaments and buy the equipment we need.
I am learning so much. The rules have changed but, thankfully the basic skills are still the same. Strategy has some new elements to me as well. The girls team is playing well, the boys not so much. Both have had some amazing sports moments.