Major Swelling of the Ankles

I completed my student teaching in Hyrum and passed with flying colors. I felt like there were days that I failed miserably, but low and behold, my supervisor and cooperating teacher only had wonderful things to say about my abilities. What a relief to have that part done!

I boarded a plane yesterday (two days ago?) and safely arrived in New Zealand. Our flight from SLC to LA on Delta was delayed so we successfully switched over to Southwest. As a going away present, I was given a gorgeous princess hat filled with goodies and I was instructed to carry it around the airport. Here's proof that I obeyed orders.

We got to LA without and issues any I even slept part of the way. I stayed up really late every night this last week so I was terribly exhausted and really looking forward to lots of sleep on the plane. After dragging our luggage all around the horse-shoe-shaped airport in LA (I packed way too much!) we checked in, got on the plane, and I slept like a little baby. I slept before dinner, I took an Ambien after dinner, I slept before breakfast, I slept until we landed. After I took the Ambien, I didn't even make it one full minute into an episode of The Simpsons. I had a really hard time staying awake the rest of the day.

I didn't take my shoes off because I feared stinky feet. Sitting on a plane for thirteen hours is kind of a long time. When I stretched my legs, my feet felt pretty funny. After we had been on the bus from Aukland to Hamilton for a while, we stopped and walked around. My feet felt even funnier. When we got back on the bus, I took a look at my ankles and whadddya know, they looked like a pregnant woman's feet!

For those of you who know me, you know my ankles don't really look like this. For those of you who don't know me, trust me: my ankles don't look like this. I don't have cankles!

I have been in Hamilton with my family for a couple of hours now and I think they are wonderful. I have showered and unpacked and I am so ready for bed I can hardly believe it. Just a few more hours and I will get to sleep again!!

I start in the school tomorrow. We have orientation and an official Mauri greeting tomorrow at 9:00am. Kayla (the ten-year old girl I'm staying with) is going to take me to school tomorrow and show me around. After the greeting, it is off to the high school and then who knows?

This is kind of a gross story...so I haven't shaved my legs for two months because I have been totally lazy. I have worn nylons every time I've worn a skirt and since I don't have a husband's legs to worry about cutting up with razor-blade-stubble, I just let the hair grow. Well needless to say, they totally looked like when I was in sixth grade before I was allowed to shave and Justin would make fun of how hairy they were. I couldn't take it anymore. The leg hair was so long I could actually feel it blow in the wind when I went outside. I decided to shave today as an arrival present to myself. Let's just say the razor clogged a few times and I missed some spots and now my legs feel totally naked. Exciting, eh?

Hopefully my feet will be normal again tomorrow. I don't want my students to think I have cankles! Not that there's anything wrong with those who do...anyway, we'll see how it goes...

Wow, this post of scattered. Can you feel the fatigue? Next post will be better.

P.S. I need e-mail addresses from Cassie, Jessie, Colette, Baker, and...hmmm...I don't remember

Birthday Shout Out

Cassie's birthday (the one on the right) was on Saturday and we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at Angie's in her honor. After opening gifts and preparing for a day on the slopes, we gave our happy birthday wishes and Cassie was off to enjoy the sunshine and snow in the mountains and dinner with her family. We threw a party for her last night and relished in a luscious homemade chocolate cake with hot pink frosting (Cassie's favorite). Now she's 23 and beginning the delightful process of the education program. Cassie and I have now lived together for two years and what a wonderful time it has been. I love being with Cassie because she makes me think...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASSIE!

Sunday was Grandpa's birthday. We had a scrumptious meal at Stansbury served by his wonderful wife, Clarine. We topped the meal of with some chocolates and a good visit. It was fun to see Phil and Company, Kim and Company, as well as Mike and Emily. It was quite the little party! I love being with Grandpa, because I admire his ability to endure and willingness to embrace every situation that is set before him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!

And Clark's Going To...

I think most people have heard by now but I wanted to announce it anyway. Clark opened his mission call on Saturday afternoon and learned that he will be serving in the Rome, Italy mission! He leaves May 13 which gives him plenty of time to wrap things up with school and gives me time to get back from New Zealand to say a proper goodbye.

CONGRATULATIONS SPARTACUS!

What the Random?

I guess I got tagged or something about twenty-five random things about myself. Since it has been a while I figure, why not?

1. I have lost eleven pounds since November

2. I don't mind the smell of skunks. Sometimes I secretly enjoy it a little bit

3. In only eleven days I move to New Zealand for two months

4. If I were extremely ambitious and really enjoyed school, I would work on a masters and a PhD and become a gynecologist

5. I don't ever want to teach 14-15-year olds again

6. When I was in fifth grade, my dream was to be Eponine in Les Miserables

7. I used to think that a green convertible was the coolest car ever

8. I pooped my pants while walking on the beach in Oregon the summer before my senior year of high school

9. My favorite Disney movie is Hercules

10. I have only been on one second date

11. I didn't reach my goal of becoming a True Aggie before I graduated

12. I don't like my food to touch on my plate during meals; if it happens to touch, I won't eat the parts that touched

13. Meatloaf was my favorite meal growing up

14. I have to plug my nose when I go under water

15. When I played house or Barbies growing up, I would always pretend that I was 17-the ideal age because you're old enough to date and drive but you can't live away from home yet

16. The only bone I have ever broken was a toe

17. I have absolutely no tolerance for snakes and I am pretty weak with spiders

18. I don't know if I have the strength to teach other peoples' children for the rest of my life

19. I love to burp, the louder the better (Do you know any males that appreciate a belching woman?)

20. I have been to more than half of the fifty states and I have two stamps in my passport (soon to be three)

21. I haven't held hands, cuddled, or kissed anyone since I started college

22. I have a total of 20 cousins and I know them all

23. Student teaching is as hard as everybody says it is

24. I am terrible with managing money

25. During my third week of teaching, I walked into the school with my skirt tucked halfway up the front of my thighs and one of the male teachers was kind enough to make me aware of the situation

And there you have it!

Happy Birthday Jules Ruiz

Today little Julie turns fifteen. I can hardly believe that she is such a beautiful teenager. She totally missed the awkward stage of being a girl (looks wise I mean) and it makes me a little jealous. She's always been beautiful. When I was her age...YIKES!

Julie is very mature for her age and I admire that. Her maturity has strengthened our relationship and has allowed us to have the kinds of conversations you can't have with other ninth graders.

One of my favorite memories with Julie...we were getting ready for bed at the same time one night. We heard a weird drum beat coming from somewhere. She turned to me with a worried look and asked me, "What is that?" I don't remember what I told her because I don't remember where the sound was coming from. After I responded she started laughing and said, "Oh. I heard the drums and I thought the Africans are coming!" I love this girl. She never fails to make me laugh.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULIE!!!

Happy Birthday Dear Spartacus

Just wanted to give a little shout out to my wee, little brother on his 19th birthday! He actually isn't so wee or little but he is younger than me so...To let you know exactly how wee little he ISN'T: Clark is about six feet tall and his biceps (when flexed) are fifteen inches around. Isn't that CRAZY? He's pretty incredible. His mission papers are in and he is patiently awaiting the call.

I admire Clark because of his patience and his positive attitude. He is really good about smiling when things just aren't going so swell. He is outgoing and knows how to reach out to others and help them to feel welcome.

Favorite childhood memory: Clark wasn't even in elementary school yet. I was in the storage room getting something for Mom and Clark walked in and exclaimed, "What the hell is going on here?" I turned around and immediately told him that we don't say that word. He looked absolutely mortified and I assured him that I wouldn't tell on him this time because he didn't know. What an innocent one...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CLARK!